Storylines – vs. Berea College
Berea College enters into Wednesday afternoon's contest undefeated, 2-0, to start its 2017-18 campaign. Last year, the Mountaineers finished with a 17-10 overall record, shooting 43 percent from the field and averaging 37 rebounds per game. Head Coach John Hemenway's team advanced to the 2016-17 USCAA D1 National Championships, winning the first round against Florida National University, 90-75, but were ultimately outlasted in the second round by Concordia-Selma, 83-54. The Mountaineers opened their 2017-18 season at home, posting a 68-53 victory over Spalding University. Berea was led by sophomore guard Dakota Mays who recorded 22 points while freshman guard Torell Carter posted a triple-double in his collegiate debut with 16 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists. Berea returned to action this past weekend edging Johnson University, 97-91, in the Mountaineers homecoming game. Freshman Hadyn Roe led the charge for Berea, scoring 26 points and added six rebounds. Carter had 22 points alongside 13 rebounds and eight assists to end the night. Through two contests thus far, the Mountaineers have shot 32-for-71 from the field (45.1 percent) and 57.8 percent from the free throw line. This year will be Berea's first season as part of the USA South Conference after being officially introduced as a member this past summer, along with Brevard College and Pfeiffer University. The Mountaineers are the only one of the three schools inducted into the conference that are previously NCAA Division III participants and therefore are immediately eligible to compete for USA South championships and awards. Berea has been selected to finish fifth in the West Division in the 2017-18 USA South preseason poll.
About UVa-Wise
UVa-Wise hit the road this past weekend as the team opened up conference play against the Blue Knights of Urbana University on Saturday. With shooting struggles in each of the Cavaliers first three contests, UVa-Wise began Saturday afternoon's matchup only hitting 10-of-35 (31.3 percent) shots from the field in the first half. The Cavs stepped up the intensity coming out of halftime, going 12-for-23 (52.2 percent) from the field. The Cavs second half energy against Urbana carried over into Monday night's game against a strong Notre Dame squad. From the floor, the Cavs went 38-for-86 (44.2 percent) on the night, assisted by solid performances from sophomore guard Michal Seals, sophomore forward Yesid Mosquera-Perea, and senior forward Taiwo Badmus. Despite fouling out, Seals went 11-for-22 in the game with 24 points, seven assists, and eight rebounds. Mosquera-Perea hit four huge three-point shots, going 4-for-5 from downtown, to garner 14 points and ultimately seal the win for the Cavaliers. Badmus also fouled out during the double-overtime contest, but left the game making a mark with 22 points, shooting 7-for-16 from the floor and 4-for-8 from beyond the arc, and added nine rebounds in the win. Freshman forward Jordan Pointer also saw double-digit points, scoring 11 off of 4-for-8 shooting and grabbed six boards. The Cavs victory over the Falcons puts UVa-Wise at 2-0 to start league play.
