Storylines – vs. West Virginia Wesleyan
Coming off of a 71-65 loss to Glenville State on Saturday, Wesleyan will attempt to earn a season sweep of the Cavalier men on Wednesday. The Bobcats earned their first conference win of the season against UVa-Wise in early December, 71-70. In that game, Wesleyan senior forward Aaron Ariri posted a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds while the Bobcats shot 41.9 percent from the field. Wesleyan has struggled to score this season, putting up 66.6 points per game compared to 78.6 ppg for opponents. From the field, the Bobcats are 448-for-984 (45.5 percent) and averaging 32.6 rebounds per game led by Ariri who is scoring 13.1 ppg this season, shooting 61.1 percent from the floor, and grabbing 6.8 rpg. Jack Meriwether's team is averaging 5.7 steals and 15.2 assists while committing 14.6 turnovers per contest. Wesleyan earned its second win of the season this month against the University of Charleston, 84-81, before going on a three-game skid. The Bobcats will be on the road for their next two matchups against Concord and Charleston and will then return home to face West Virginia State.
About UVa-Wise
UVa-Wise will visit West Virginia Wesleyan on Wednesday night in search of its first win of 2018. The Cavs were seconds away from securing their first home conference win of the season on Saturday against Charleston, but were unable to earn the victory in overtime. In the 80-77 overtime loss, sophomore point guard Michal Seals put up a season-high 30 points on 10-for-18 shooting alongside five assists. Sophomore guard Chance Sheffey had 21 points, hitting 9-of-16 shots, and added four assists. Redshirt senior forward Taiwo Badmus finished with a double-double of 10 points and 13 rebounds. The Cavaliers have continued to struggle from the floor, shooting just 38 percent in the first half of games this season. Per contest, the Cavs are averaging 77.4 points per game while opponents are putting up 84.1 ppg. Blake Mellinger's squad is shooting 491-for-1191 (41.2 percent) from the field and grabbing 39.1 rebounds per contest. Next up, the Cavalier men will return home in search of their first conference win inside the David J. Prior Convocation this season as they host the Pioneers of Glenville State on Saturday afternoon.
