SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Locked in a tight game with Maryland Eastern Shore, the Wofford men's basketball team went to its staple, defense, to pull away for a 73-63 victory in Saturday afternoon's home opener at Benjamin Johnson Arena.
 
Ahead by just four with the game clock showing 3:05, Wofford's defense limited UMES to just four points the rest of the way. The Terriers forced UMES into three turnovers through their final eight possessions and a Justin Gordon slam in the final minute put the game out of reach. Wofford (1-2) outscored the Hawks (0-3) 12-6 down the stretch to win their home opener for the 19th time in the last 21 years.
 
"It has been our calling card around here for many years and it's won us a lot of games," said head coach Mike Young on his team's defense. "Sixty-three points is a Wofford number. I thought their shooting percentage was a little high, but to outrebound them by 14 was a critical statistic."
 
Spencer Collins scored a game-high 21 points on 8-of-15 shooting. The senior from Easley, S.C., also led all players with four assists and added four rebounds. Senior Justin Gordon, junior Eric Garcia and freshman Fletcher Magee joined Collins in double-figure scoring.
 
"Spencer Collins was terrific and let the game to him," said Young. "He had a really nice pace to his game, shot the ball well and led our team on both ends of the floor. He played like a senior and helped us get out of here against a really good opponent."
 
Maryland Eastern Shore, which opened the season with losses at Kansas State and Mizzou, came back from two double-digit deficits twice. The latter made it a one-point game with less than 5:30 to play.
 
"[UMES] is an extremely tough basketball team," added Young. "I would not be surprised if they are celebrating on Selection Sunday in March as champions of the MEAC."
 
The Hawks ended the game with a slim edge in field goal percentage, outshooting Wofford 47 percent to 45 percent. Wofford was able to make up for it by shooting nearly 80 percent with 19 makes at the foul line. The Hawks struggled at the stripe, shooting 59 percent (13-22).
 
Wofford's most noticeable advantage came on the glass, outrebounding UMES 36-22. The Terriers had 12 offensive boards, helping them to a 13-1 margin in second-chance points. Senior C.J. Neumann led the game with a career-high nine boards.
 
The Terriers never trailed in the first half. With the game tied at 12, Magee made his first of two 3-pointers to begin an 11-0 run. Wofford held the Hawks scoreless for 4:49 to go in front 23-12.
 
UMES came storming back. The Hawks trimmed Wofford's lead to seven before a 9-2 run tied it back up at 32. Neumann hit 1-of-2 at the foul line in the final minute to give the Terriers a 35-34 lead at the half.
 
Wofford turned the ball over eight times in the first half. They made the necessary adjustment in the locker room, committing just two turnovers and forcing UMES into eight.
 
The Hawks grabbed the lead for the first time all afternoon on a Dominique Elliott jumper to begin the second half. Elliott finished the game with a team-high 19 points.
 
UMES led for 26 seconds before Garcia hit from three to put Wofford back in front. The Terriers never trailed again.
 
An 8-0 run that lasted 3:30 put Wofford up double figures for the second time with 8:44 left. Once again, UMES fought back, this time with a 9-0 run to get within a point. Bakari Copeland hit from deep to make it 54-53 with 6:35 to go. The Terriers outscored UMES 19-10 the remainder of the game.
 
Wofford heads to New York on Tuesday for its final game of the CBE Hall of Fame Classic. The Terriers will take on Columbia for the first time in program history. Tip is set for 7 p.m., from Levien Gym.
 
Terrier Notes:
- Collins' 21 points was five shy of his career-high 26, which he scored on February 26, 2015 at Mercer. He was also just one assist shy of his career-high of five, which he had against UNCG last February 19.
- Neumann set a new career-high with nine rebounds. His previous high was eight, which he last accomplished in last year's SoCon Championship game.
- Wofford improved to 19-2 in home openers in its Division I era (1995-present).
- The game was the first ever between Wofford and UMES.
- Attendance was 1,970 inside Benjamin Johnson Arena.