JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Oct. 27, 2024) – Before opening the 2024-25 season in a little over a week, the ETSU men's basketball team got a good test against preseason Big South Conference favorite and reigning regular season conference champion High Point.
 
Led by a team-high 19 points from Karon Boyd, the Buccaneers suffered a 71-56 decision to the Panthers in Sunday's charity exhibition game, presented by Johnson City Honda, inside Freedom Hall. The entire proceeds of the game were donated to Uncommon Grit Foundation and Finnegan's Challenge.
 
Boyd, who accounted for all three of ETSU's made triples, went 4-of-4 from the free throw line, while grabbing four rebounds. Jaden Seymour (11 points) and Missouri transfer Curt Lewis (10 points) were the other Buccaneers to score in double figures. Lewis and Quimari Peterson led the Blue & Gold with six rebounds each.
 
For the game, both teams made 20 field goals; however, free throw and three-point shooting proved to be the difference maker. High Point made seven more threes and eight more free throws than the Blue & Gold. The Panthers finished 10-of-24 from beyond the arc and went 21-of-23 at the free throw line, compared to the Bucs going 3-for-21 from long distance and 13-for-19 at the charity stripe.
 
ETSU was plus-two on the boards, 39-37, while the Bucs finished with just 10 turnovers. The Blue & Gold grabbed 17 offensive rebounds and cashed those into 20 points, while ETSU was also plus-14 in the paint, 34-20.
 
High Point had three players reach double figures in scoring with Big South Preseason Player of the Year selection Keeza Giffa scoring a game-high 23 points to go along with six assists and six rebounds.
 
ETSU turns its attention to the season opener as the Bucs host Newberry on Monday, Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. inside Freedom Hall.
 
Fans can purchase 2024-25 season tickets by calling the ETSU Ticket Office at 423-439-3878 or visiting ETSUTickets.com
 
For more information on ETSU men's basketball, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the men's basketball tab.