Men's Basketball | 10/26/2026 12:17:00 PM
Box Score PENSACOLA, FL – Southeastern Baptist College Men's Basketball opened its 2026–27 season on the road, falling
93–78 to a well-coached Pensacola Christian College team in a special throwback game played inside the school's old gymnasium.
Despite the loss, the Chargers showed encouraging signs offensively and received several strong individual performances in a challenging road environment.
Head Coach White described the atmosphere as electric, with a loud and energetic crowd creating an exciting but difficult environment for communication.
"The atmosphere was amazing," Coach White said. "Playing in their old gym with the crowd being so loud made it difficult to communicate our calls to the players. But that's what made the experience both challenging and fun."
Strong First-Half Offensive Performance
The Chargers delivered an impressive offensive performance in the opening half, shooting
59% from the field. However, struggles at the free-throw line, where SBC converted just
37% of its attempts, prevented the team from taking full advantage of its offensive opportunities.
Despite occasional defensive breakdowns and missed free throws, the Chargers entered halftime trailing by just two points.
"I thought we played well offensively in the first half, but defensively, we had some breakdowns," White explained. "Our free-throw shooting really hurt us. We had opportunities to put ourselves in a better position going into halftime."
Johnson and Sims Lead the Chargers
SBC received outstanding individual performances from
Adin Johnson and Johnny Sims, who combined for 51 points.
Johnson led the Chargers in scoring with
26 points and 3 rebounds, providing a strong offensive presence throughout the contest.
Sims delivered an impressive all-around performance, finishing with
25 points and 9 rebounds, narrowly missing a double-double.
Both players played significant roles in keeping SBC competitive against a disciplined and well-prepared Pensacola Christian team.
Freshman Lucas Montgomery Makes an Immediate Impact
One of the biggest surprises of the season opener came from freshman
Lucas Montgomery, who stepped up and provided valuable production off the bench.
Montgomery finished with
7 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 steals in 18 minutes of action.
His extended playing time was unexpected, but the freshman made the most of his opportunity, impressing Coach White with his effort and overall performance.
Coach White expressed surprise at how well Montgomery responded to the challenge, particularly in his first collegiate game and in such a difficult road atmosphere.
His performance provided an encouraging sign for the Chargers' bench depth and the development of their younger players.
Second-Half Defensive Struggles Prove Costly
After trailing by just two points at halftime, SBC struggled to maintain its defensive focus and execute the details emphasized in the game plan.
Pensacola Christian capitalized on those mistakes, with
JR Lawrenz and Luke Pack finding their offensive rhythm and making key contributions during the second half.
"We lost focus on some of the details we emphasized," White said. "We failed to recognize where JR Lawrenz and Luke Pack were on the floor, and both players caught fire in the second half. Those are situations where we have to be more disciplined and aware defensively."
The well-coached Pensacola Christian squad took advantage of SBC's defensive lapses and pulled away in the second half to secure the
93–78 victory.
Coach White Remains Confident Despite Season-Opening Loss
Although disappointed with the final result, Coach White credited Pensacola Christian for its preparation, discipline, and execution.
"We played against a very well-coached basketball team," White said. "They took advantage of our mistakes, especially in the second half. We have to give them credit, but we also have to understand that many of the things that hurt us are things we can correct."
White remains confident in his team's potential as the Chargers continue preparing for conference competition.
"I believe if we can limit our turnovers, improve our ball movement, create more assists, and stay focused on the little details, we will be fine," White stated. "The biggest thing is staying healthy, continuing to improve, and working toward our team goals. If we do those things, I believe we can be very competitive in our conference."
Looking Ahead
While the Chargers were unable to secure a victory in their season opener, the contest provided valuable lessons and several encouraging takeaways.
The combined 51-point performance from Johnson and Sims, along with the promising collegiate debut of Montgomery, highlighted the team's offensive potential.
Moving forward, SBC will focus on improving defensive communication, free-throw shooting, limiting turnovers, and maintaining discipline throughout all 40 minutes.
Coach White's message remains clear: Stay healthy, stay disciplined, trust the process, and continue working toward the ultimate goal of competing for a conference championship.
FINAL SCORE
Pensacola Christian College – 93
Southeastern Baptist College – 78
SBC STAT LEADERS
SOUTHEASTERN BAPTIST COLLEGE CHARGERS MEN'S BASKETBALL
2026–27 Season | Commitment • Discipline • Togetherness
