WISE – Men's basketball delivered a big win over Ohio University – Chillicothe Thursday afternoon inside the David J. Prior Convocation Center, 86-59. Redshirt sophomore Briggs Parris and senior Eric Okenchi each posted a team-high 16 points while Okenchi added a game-high nine boards in the victory. UVA Wise welcomed approximately 2,500 students who cheered the Cavs on to victory.

UVA Wise (5-6) held the Hilltoppers scoreless until the 12:34 mark as the Cavs led Ohio – Chillicothe 17-2. A quick 7-0 run for UVA Wise gave the Cavs a 28-7 advantage as freshman Izeah Parker knocked down back-to-back shots to put UVA Wise up 30-9 with just over eight minutes to play in the opening frame.

The Cavs held onto the lead with a dunk by sophomore Cameron Whiteside giving UVA Wise a 24 point cushion as the Hilltoppers trailed 36-12 with 6:04 left on the clock. UVA Wise stayed on top heading into the half, up 40-22 over Ohio – Chillicothe.

Parris and Whiteside each had eight points in the opening half while sophomore Josh Thomas and redshirt junior Yesid Mosquera-Perea each collected a team-high four boards. UVA Wise shot 51.7 percent (15-for-29) from the field, 33.3 percent (5-for-15) from behind the arc, and 83.3 percent (10-for-12) from the foul line in the first frame. The Cavs dished out 12 assists and won the rebounding battle 22-13 alongside five steals to start the afternoon.

A bucket by Parris opened the scoring in the closing half but back-to-back three-pointers by the Hillltoppers put the score at 49-28 as Ohio – Chillicothe continued to trail. Redshirt freshman Joseph Keenan's shot from downtown with 14:48 on the clock gave UVA Wise a 28-point lead, 58-30.

UVA Wise maintained a double-digit  advantage before the Cavs claimed their largest lead of the game with a 33-point advantage over the Hilltoppers, 65-32, midway through the second half. Shots continued to fall for the Cavs as UVA Wise downed Ohio – Chillicothe 86-59.

The Cavs outscored the Hilltoppers 28-4 in the paint in the second half while Ohio – Chillicothe was assisted by 23 points off the bench. UVA Wise shot 51.6 percent (16-for-31) and went 7-for-8 (87.5 percent) at the charity stripe. Okenchi and Parris each finished with eight points in the second frame while Okenchi added six boards.  The Cavs recorded 10 total assists in the second half led by freshman Drew Greene who posted four.

Whiteside netted 12 points and added four rebounds and five assists in the game. Sheffey also scored in double figures with 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting while Parker and Keenan each posted eight points in the win.

The Cavs shot 51.7 percent (31-for-60) from the field, 30.4 percent (7-for-23) from three, and 85 percent (17-for-20) from the charity stripe on the afternoon. UVA Wise finished with 41 rebounds, 22 assists and 12 steals.

Head coach Blake Mellinger's team will return to action in 2020 with their first game of the year inside the David J. Prior Convocation Center as the Cavaliers face SAC opponent Queens (N.C.) at 4 p.m.