HENDERSON�Having squandered a seven-point lead over the final 10 minutes of play, Pitt Community College dropped its first game of the season Saturday, falling to Vance-Granville Community College, 98-93. Playing for the first time in six days, the Bulldogs came out flat against the Vanguards (8-2 overall) and shot poorly from the field. VGCC, meanwhile, crashed the boards and took advantage of easy baskets in the paint. Though Pitt cut the lead to four several times in the first 20 minutes of action and had chances to make it even closer, Raymond Dunn tallied 22 first-half point to give the Vanguards a 57-49 lead at intermission. The second half saw the Dawgs turn up the defensive intensity and eventually take the lead. Guards Adonte McCarter and Eugene Jenkins spearheaded the rally with help inside from Johnny Godette. Up seven at the 10-minute mark, PCC stumbled down the stretch with turnovers and untimely 3-pointers. The two teams exchanged the lead several times in the final four minutes with VGCC grabbing key rebounds to secure a five-point Region X Conference win. Led by McCarter�s 19 points and nine assists, the Bulldogs had five players score in double figures. Godette dropped in 16 and grabbed 10 rebounds for a double-double while Jeremy Ross, Damien Williams and Steffen McGhee scored 10 points each for PCC. Next up for Pitt (4-1 overall, 1-1 Region X) is Rockingham Community College on Dec. 20 in Wentworth. The Bulldogs� next home game is Jan. 7 at home against Lenoir Community College at 7 p.m. |