The 14th-ranked Guilford College men's basketball team hosted Ferrum College in the penultimate game of the regular season. After slow first half, the Quakers came to life in the second for the 61-47 victory.
Tyler Dearman led all scorers with 18 points with eight assists. Gabe Proctor scored 11 off the bench while Julius Burch finished with a double-double, 10 points and 12 boards.
Both teams struggled offensively in the first half as their respective defenses were shutting down the opponent. With 2:16 left in the first, momentum began to swing in favor of Guilford (20-4, 13-2) when GC's Jorden Davis and Ferrum's Johnny Franklin were both called for Flagrant Two fouls and were disqualified for the remainder of the contest.
Tied at 18, Luke Proctor made two free throws and with three seconds on the clock, Myles Washington found Dearman for a wide-open layup. The Quakers led 22-18 at the break.
In the second half, Ferrum (9-16, 5-11) stayed within striking distance until Gabe Proctor and Dearman combined for 11 points to give GC a 41-27 edge. Guilford kept the double-digit lead until the Panthers rattled off 10 of the next 11 points to pull within seven (50-43) with 4:12 remaining in regulation.
A three from Elijah Bowens followed by a Burch layup gave the Quakers a double-digit advantage once more as the hosts went on to win by 14.
GC scored 26 points in the paint compared to 10 for the visitors while also winning the rebound margin, 45-28.
Guilford wraps up the regular season on Saturday, February 18 as second-ranked Randolph-Macon makes the trek to Greensboro. Start time is set for 4:30 p.m.