Storylines – vs. Johnson C. Smith University
UVa-Wise will face Johnson C. Smith University in day two of West Virginia State University's Earl Lloyd Classic. The Golden Bulls opened up the tournament on Friday night with a three-point, 81-78, win over WVSU's Yellow Jackets. JCSU concluded their 2016-17 campaign with an 11-7 overall record and went 6-10 in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. The Golden Bulls were selected to finish seventh in the CIAA, earning 62 points, after advancing to the CIAA Tournament last season. JCSU knocked off Elizabeth City State University in the first round of the CIAA Tournament, 84-66, but was ousted in a heartbreaking overtime loss to Bowie State University, 78-75. Named to the preseason All-CIAA team, senior guards Christian Kirchman and Robert Davis III look to lead the Golden Bulls this season. Kirchman finished last season averaging 11.5 points per game while Davis averaged 17.4 points. Following the Golden Bulls defeat of the Yellow Jackets on Friday night, Davis is now only eight points away from reaching 1,000 career points. In JCSU's win over West Virginia State, Davis led the Golden Bulls with 23 points while sophomore guard Cayse Minor shot 6-of-8 from the field, posting 20 points on the night. Kirchman went 5-of-11 from the field and added seven assists and four steals in the Golden Bulls' win. JCSU shot 29-of-54 (53.7 percent) from the field, going 19-of-24 (79.2 percent) at the free-throw line.

About UVa-Wise
Elizabeth City State University handed the Cavaliers an 85-68 loss in the opening game of the Earl Lloyd Classic in Institute, West Virginia. The Cavs were unable to sustain early momentum, shooting 19-of-46 (41.3 percent) and hitting just 6-of-19 (31.6 percent) three-pointers. Sophomore forward Tajh Eason led all Cavs in scoring with 15 points on the night and added two steals and three rebounds. Sophomore guard Michal Seals had 14 points while senior forward Dimitri Sousa shot 4-of-8, 3-of-5 from beyond the arc, and finished with 11 points. UVa-Wise concluded the night hitting 24-of-33 (72.7 percent) free throws and posted 24 rebounds. The Cavs recorded 22 points inside the paint and were assisted with 20 points off the bench.