WISE – For the third consecutive game, UVA Wise rode its bench to another big night of scoring. With a 102-80 win over non-conference foe Johnson & Wales, the Cavs benefited from 51 points off the bench. It's the third straight game the Cavs have had 50+ bench points.
It was redshirt sophomore forward Joe'l Pettiford who led the way for the Cavs with 22 points. Pettiford started the night with 14 points going a perfect 7-for-7 from the floor in the first half. Pettiford finished the night 10-for-13 overall, expanding his range with a pair of three pointers. His 22 points are the most by a Cavalier through the first three games this season.
For the third game in a row, sophomore guard Zion Fruster scored 17 or more points, finishing with 20 on 7-for-11 shooting with three triples. He did so in just 19 minutes.
Wednesday night's win also marks the third straight contest in which the Cavs had three or more scorers finish in double figures. Sophomore guard Patrick Shelley added 12 points in the effort and contributed three steals on defense.
The added depth for Blake Mellinger's squad reared its ugly head yet again Wednesday night. This time, the Wildcats were the victim, having to chase Cavalier shooters all over the floor on defense.
10 different Cavaliers played 17+ minutes against JWU.
Despite not standing out on the scoreboard, junior forward Lav Cvetkovic' contributed in many areas for the Cavs.
Cvetkovic' transferred to UVA Wise from Colin College after his sophomore season, and the prospect of a 6-foot-7 forward who can shoot the ball from three and get up and down the floor quickly excited the Cavalier fan base.
He proved himself Wednesday night with nine points, six assists and five rebounds. He gave the Wildcats a difficult matchup in the frontcourt, forcing their larger defenders to defend the pick-and-roll and dribble handoffs out on the three-point line.
Johnson & Wales suffers its first loss of the season and will get ready to face Bob Jones on Saturday, Nov. 18 at 12 p.m.
The dominant win is just what the doctor ordered for the Cavs as they gear up for a top 25 matchup against No. 16 North Georgia at the Prior Center on Saturday, Nov. 18 at 2 p.m.
