LEXINGTON, Va. ? Chavis and Travis Holmes became the all-time leading scorers among twins at the NCAA Division I level Saturday afternoon, as they scored a combined 47 points to help Big South-leading VMI to a 92-85 win over High Point in a conference game at Cameron Hall.
With their output Saturday, the Holmes twins now have 3,262 career points, surpassing Ramon and Damon Williams, who played at VMI from 1987-1990. The victory moves VMI to 16-3 overall, and a conference-leading 8-1 in Big South action. High Point falls to 5-14, and 1-8 in league play.
After the Panthers knotted the score at 63 in the second half with a 14-0 run, VMI answered with an 11-0 streak to put the game out of reach. The Keydets forced the Panthers into a season-high 31 turnovers, leading to a 37-12 advantage in points off of turnovers.
The home team got off to a strong start, opening the game on a 10-0 run comprising the first three minutes. The visiting Panthers had a quartet of turnovers in the first 95 seconds, and VMI's spurt to start the game could have been even greater, had two long three-pointers not rimmed out.
HPU responded however, thanks to a 7-0 run over the next minute, concluding with a Jourdan Morris lay-in at 16:01 to cut the deficit to three. From there, VMI pushed its advantage back out, with its biggest lead being eight on multiple occasions. The Keydets could not get over an eight point edge until an Austin Kenon three-pointer at 8:21 gave the home team a nine-point lead, 32-23.
VMI held their advantage throughout that time despite HPU dominating the glass, as the Panthers held a 15-4 rebounding edge over the opening 10 minutes of action.
After the Kenon three-pointer, the teams traded runs. The Panthers scored five unanswered points to get within four, but the Keydets quickly responded, mounting a 10-3 run to take the lead back up to double digits, 42-31 with 5:25 left in the opening frame. HPU briefly climbed back within seven, but VMI closed the half out strong, hitting two late three-pointers to help account for the halftime margin, 48-37.
The Keydets forced 19 Panther turnovers in the opening frame, and VMI converted those into 22 points.
The home squad, after a Cruz Daniels basket, buried two consecutive three-pointers to open the second half and take a 54-39 advantage. That lead grew to 16 at the 15:25 mark, thanks to a Keith Gabriel trey, but the visitors had one more run in them.
High Point went on an 18-2 run following the Gabriel three, including three-pointers on three straight possessions, beginning with a Eugene Harris triple with 13:38 remaining. The huge run ended with a layup by Morris at the 11:23 mark, a basket that tied the game at 63 apiece.
In a game marked by runs, VMI had the final answer Saturday afternoon. The Keydets went on an 11-0 run to retake command, a run which culminated with yet another three, this one by Gabriel at the 8:44 mark.
With 6:57 to play, Chavis Holmes was fouled attempting a jump shot. The first of his two free throws gave him 24 points on the day, and put the Holmes twins in rarified air, breaking the record for twin scorers in NCAA Division I history.
The Panthers got back within seven, but could get no closer until the closing moments, when they briefly cut the deficit to five. Willie Bell made two free throws in the closing moments, two of six VMI free throws in the final 28 seconds, to account for the final margin, 92-85.
The Keydets were led by Chavis Holmes, who had 27 points on the history-making day, while Travis Holmes posted the Keydets' first double-double of the season, totaling 20 points and 11 assists. Additionally, freshman Keith Gabriel chipped in 20 points, while Austin Kenon notched 15 markers for VMI. In fact, the sophomore guard set a VMI record for three-pointers attempted in a game, as he launched 19 attempts from beyond the arc.
High Point outrebounded VMI 49-27 on the day, but the Panther hopes were dashed by their 31 turnovers, the most forced by VMI against a Division I opponent this season. The visitors were led by Nick Barbour, who had 25 points, as well as Daniels, who had 21 points and 14 rebounds. David Singleton chipped in with 11 assists, and Eugene Harris had 19 points, 16 of them in the second half.
VMI basketball returns to action Thursday, as the Keydets host the Southern Virginia Knights. Tip time is set for 7 p.m.
Quotes --- VMI Head Coach Duggar Baucom:
“Credit the guys. The ending wasn't very pretty, but I told them that was something we could work on in practice on Monday.”
“High Point is dangerous and scary. A team that is that big and that athletic and has shooters like (Nick) Barbour and (Eugene) Harris makes it pretty scary.”
“The free throws made a difference. You can finish off games if you have guys make them. I am pleased that we made some good plays after we took a hit. The guys made plays down the stretch and really held them off because they were on a bit of a run for a while. Credit Bart Lundy for bringing his team in here and fighting like that.”
“I told Coach Willis before the game ?This might be a game where we shoot 50 threes.' I'd like to make more than 15 of them.”
“I'm not sure anybody will take the twin brother scoring record away from Chavis and Travis. It's pretty special for their family. I've had the pleasure of coaching one of the top two on the list, and have known the other pair of twins, Ramon and Damon Williams, for a long time. They are great people.”
