Saints fall in exhibition game

Shawn Poppie had a team high 16 points in the Saints' loss. The Limestone basketball team dropped a close exhibition contest to Athletes in Action Thursday.

Shawn Poppie led the Saints with 16 in the 73-67 loss.

The Saints' Terrell Smith nearly had a doubledouble with 13 points and eight rebounds.

John Prioleau had a team high nine rebounds to go along with eight points.

Jameson Clark added 13 points for the Saints.

Athletes in Action set the early tone, with a 10-2 run to take the lead for good.

Athletes in Action extended its lead to as many as 18 points in the second half.

John Chappell, who played at the University of South Carolina, had 17 points to lead Athletes in Action.

Aaron Shaw had 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Athletes in Action had 19 points from the free throw line, while the Saints had just 14. The Saints outrebounded Athletes in Action, 45- 36.

The Saints shot just 37 percent from the field. Athletes in Action hit nearly 50 percent of its shots from the field.

Limestone opens its regular season on Friday against Newberry at the Upstate Tip-Off Doubleheader at USC-Upstate. The Indians were picked to finish fifth in the South Atlantic Coaches pre-season poll.

The Saints will face Bellarmine at 6 p.m. on Saturday to wrap up the event.