SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va - - The Cavs dropped their second road conference matchup against Shepherd University, 85-71, on Saturday.
Still suffering from cold shooting, the Cavs (6-8, 4-4 MEC) managed to stay within reach of the Rams (8-6, 4-4 MEC) for the majority of the first half as UVa-Wise shot 14-for-32 (43.8 percent) from the field. Shepherd shot an impressive 16-for-25 (64 percent) in the opening half.
UVa-Wise fell behind early, gaining its first and only lead of the night behind senior forward Dimitri Sousa's three-pointer with 18:43 on the clock. The Cavaliers continued to rally throughout the opening half, only down by six points, 42-36, heading into halftime. The Cavs were aided in the first half by 14 points coming from the bench.
The Cavalier men continued to battle, cutting the Rams lead to the lead to eight points, 50-42, with 15:28 left. The Cavs hit 12 shots from downtown on the afternoon compared to just eight for the Rams. However, it would not be enough as Shepherd finished going 32-for-53 (60.4 percent) from the floor while UVa-Wise connected on 27-of-68 (39.7 percent) shots from the field.
Shepherd took its largest lead of the night with 2:42 to go in the game, 79-61. The Cavs were unable to get a rhythm in the second half, dropping the game, 85-71.
The Rams won the rebounding battle, 38-29, and finished with 13 total assists to 11 assists for the Cavaliers. UVa-Wise tallied just five turnovers on the afternoon while the Rams committed 11 turnovers.
Sophomore point guard Michal Seals and forward Yesid Perea-Mosquera tallied 17 points apiece with Seals adding six assists and Perea-Mosquera grabbing five boards. Sophomore guard Chance Sheffey provided a strong performance for the Cavs, recording 16 points on 6-for-13 shooting and posted five rebounds.
Shepherd's AJ Carr led all scorers with 21 points alongside 11 rebounds while Winston Burgess went 8-for-8 from the floor and netted 19 points for the Rams.
The Cavalier men will return back home to host No. 6 West Liberty on Jan. 11 and Wheeling Jesuit on Jan. 13 inside the David J. Prior Convocation Center.
