WISE, Va. – The Emory & Henry College Men's Basketball Team (5-15, 2-10 SAC) avenged an early-season loss and snapped an eight-game losing streak Wednesday evening as the Wasps took down Southwest Virginia rival the University of Virginia's College at Wise (8-12, 4-8 SAC). E&H defeated the Cavaliers by a 71-70 final tally and in the process ended a three-game losing skid against UVA Wise.
The Basics
FINAL SCORE – Emory & Henry 71, UVA Wise 70
LOCATION – Wise, Virginia
VENUE – David J. Prior Convocation Center
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (5-15, 2-10 SAC); UVA Wise (8-12, 4-8 SAC)
How It Happened
- The teams were evenly matched through the opening five minutes as the Cavaliers held a slight advantage at 13-12. Things cooled off through the middle of the half with the teams struggling to convert from the field. A made basket and a free throw from junior guard Jalen Leftwich (Lynchburg, Va.) pushed the Wasps ahead 20-19 with 9:11 remaining. The two squads could not be separated through the opening 20 minutes and the score was all square at 32-32 heading into the halftime break.
- Both squads started the second half with better shooting and the Cavaliers ran out to a narrow 44-43 lead at the first media timeout. Another cold stretch hit in the middle stages of the second stanza with the teams combining for just 11 points over the following seven minutes and change. Wise pushed its lead out to as many as eight, but the Wasps battled back to reduce their deficit to just two with 1:24 to play. E&H took the lead with 49 seconds to go on a rebound, a put back and free throw from sophomore forward Jacob Dar (Omaha, Neb.) to make it 68-67 in favor of the visitors from Emory. The Wasps forced a stop on defense and Dar added another make from the charity stripe to set the stage with 12 seconds left and E&H up a pair. The Cavaliers drew a foul, but Ben Bryson could only convert one of two attempts and sophomore forward Marshall Klug (Greensboro, N.C.) knocked down a pair of free throws as the Wasps held onto the three-point advantage with just 4.5 ticks remaining. E&H forced Wise to the line where the Cavaliers knocked down a pair to draw within one. Hearts leapt into throats on the final play as the ensuing inbounds play resulted in a mad scramble for a loose ball, but time expired and the Wasps held on for the 71-70 victory.
Emory & Henry Individual Leaders
- Dar led the offensive attack once again with his first career double-double of 18 points, 12 rebounds, two blocked shots and an assist. Leftwich posted his second career double-double and narrowly missed out on the elusive triple-double as he went for 14 points, 11 rebounds, eight helpers and a steal.
- Klug added 18 points and seven rebounds and finished a perfect six-for-six from the charity stripe. Junior guard Gabe Brown (Clintwood, Va.) was the other Wasp in double figures as he finished with 11 points, three rebounds, three assists, two steals and a blocked shot. Sophomore guard Omari Curley (Prince George, Va.) chipped in with five points, seven rebounds and an assist.
UVA Wise Individual Leaders
- Zy'Ever Wingfield paced the Cavaliers with a game-high 20 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two blocked shots and two steals while Cale Lightford had 18 points, three assists and a pair of boards.
- Carmel Pacheco finished with ten points, six rebounds and an assist in the losing effort.
A Deeper Look
- Emory & Henry shot a season-low 31.9 percent (22-for-69) for the game with 10 made three-pointers (32.3%). The Wasps went 17-for-24 (70.8%) at the free throw line.
- UVA Wise converted 21-of-62 (33.9%) of its field goal attempts, connecting on 11 triples for 36.7% from behind the three-point stripe. The Cavaliers knocked down 81.0 percent (17-of-21) of their free throws.
- The Wasps crashed the glass, out rebounding the home team by a decisive 53-39 margin, including a 20-10 advantage on the offensive boards.
- E&H pushed the tempo, outscoring the Cavs 20-12 on the fastbreak.
- The teams were dead even, each scoring 20 points in the painted area.
Up Next
- Emory & Henry returns home on Saturday, February 2 when the Wasps square off against the Bulldogs of Wingate University for Hoop Fest and Black History Month celebrations. Tipoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m..
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