Raymond Benton scored a team-high 12 points and DJ Via added 11, but an early Mary Baldwin lead didn't last as the Fighting Squirrels dropped a USA South men's basketball showdown against Greensboro Thursday, 71-61.

After taking a 20-10 lead midway through the first half, sparked by eight points by Benton, the MBU shots stopped falling, allowing the Pride to outscore the hosts 61-41 over the final 31 minutes of the game.   The game was tied 25-25 at the break, but several second-half surges allowed the visitors to pull away for the win.

The Fighting Squirrels hit 36.2% from the field (21-for-58) and 28.6% from three point range (10-for-35) and was outrebounded 37-25 in the contest.  MBU was unable to get within six points of the Pride in the final 11 minutes of the game.

Greensboro's Isaiah Pruitt led both teams with 26 points while Grant Thompson posted a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.  The Pride shot 55.3% from the field (26-for-47), many within the paint, to capture the win.

MBU (12-10, 6-5 USA South), tied for fourth place with Brevard, plays its final home game of the regular-season Saturday (2/15) at 2 p.m.