Winthrop Drops USIU’s Hopes Further

SAN DIEGO —  A season that appeared to be worth so much optimism for U.S. International basketball further disintegrated into what has been reality Thursday night with an 80-76 loss to Winthrop College at Golden Hall.

USIU completed half its season at 4-10. And for all intents and purposes, the team’s goal of the second winning season in the 11 years the program has been Division I is out of reach.

The Gulls would have to finish the year 10-4 with seven games each at home and on the road, but that possibility must seem remote at best even to Coach Gary Zarecky, who started the season with five returning starters, the addition of highly regarded guard Kevin Bradshaw and 17 homes games--the most ever at USIU.

The Gulls appear to be heading for their ninth consecutive losing season as a Division I basketball team. USIU looked as if it might salvage a .500 year, but a loss to previously winless Colgate Saturday and Thursday’s defeat by a Winthrop team that was clearly not as good as its record (8-1) has virtually nullified that possibility.

“There’s no excuses to justify why we’re playing like this,” Zarecky said. “When you have no excuses, you have to go back to the drawing board.

“I’m not going to say anything about disappointment yet, you’ll have to ask me that on the last game of the season. We’re going to figure this out.”

USIU slowed the pace in the first half and trailed, 31-28, at halftime. In the second half, the Gulls picked it up but left their defense behind. Winthrop made 16 of 17 shots during one stretch--mostly from inside.

USIU stayed close, never trailing by more than eight. But once again, late mental mistakes hurt.

Demetrius Laffitte hit both ends of two one-and-ones to pull USIU within 77-76 with 1:13 remaining. But then 5-11 guard Shaun Wise found an easy path to the basket, scoring on a layup as he was fouled by Steve Smith. Wise made the free throw, and Winthrop led, 80-76 with 49 seconds remaining.

The Gulls threw away their last chance to get back into the game when Paul Wilson’s pass was stolen with 35 seconds left. USIU sunk to 2-3 on this nine-game home stand.

“We just don’t have a very strong mental game right now,” Zarecky said. “And we have to get it back. The other teams are playing a lot better mentally.”