LAKELAND, FL -- Fifteenth-ranked Florida Southern drained thirteen three-pointers on UVA Wise, but the Highland Cavaliers answered back with a dominant 68 points in the paint to secure the 93-91 victory in the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic.
UVA Wise Head Coach
Blake Mellinger described the game in the post-game press conference as "A lot of exciting moments on both ends of the floor from both teams. We just found a way to make one more play than they did." Which was true as
Yoro Diallo scored with 3.1 seconds left to put the Cavs ahead for good.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Result: UVA Wise 93, No.15 Florida Southern 91
Records: UVA Wise (1-1); Florida Southern (1-1)
Location: Lakeland, FL | George W. Jenkins Field House
HOW IT HAPPENED
The game began with UVA Wise taking an early lead, thanks to
Yoro Diallo's layup assisted by
Kam Roberts at 18:44. Florida Southern quickly responded with a three-pointer from Amare Miller at 18:23. The teams exchanged leads throughout the half, with Roberts contributing significantly for the Cavaliers with several baskets. The Mocs, however, capitalized on fast breaks and three-pointers, including a three-pointer by Brady Corso at 6:08, which extended their lead to 39-28. Despite a strong effort from the Cavs, the Mocs held a 53-40 advantage at the end of the first half.
Coach Mellinger made some adjustments at the half, and UVA Wise surged in the second half, methodically overcoming a 15-point deficit and taking the 67-66 lead on a Roberts layup off a Mocs turnover. Diallo played a crucial role, scoring multiple layups and securing key rebounds. Roberts contributed significantly, adding points in the paint and grabbing defensive boards. The Cavs extended their lead to eight points, only to see FSC slowly chip away at it. With UVA Wise nursing a three-point lead with 7.8 seconds left, Florida Southern's Brady Corso was fouled and hit all three free throws to tie the game, After a time-out to set up a play,
Patrick Shelley inbounded to Diallo just in front of the scorer's table. Diallo then drove to the baseline and hit the running layup with 3.1 seconds remaining. Florida Southern got the ball in but passed a bit long to Elijah Walsh who gathered it up and missed a one-handed floating fadeaway jumper from the left corner at the buzzer, allowing UVA Wise to escape with the win.
Ameer Ramadan led FSC with 15 points, making all three of his attempts from beyond the arc and contributing two assists. Miller added 16 points along with five blocks and seven of eight free throws. Khalil Ross controlled the boards with 10 rebounds while adding five points and two assists.
GETTING WISE
- Diallo posted a second consecutive double-double with 24 points and 12 rebounds, also adding two blocks and two steals to his performance.
- Roberts led all scorers with 28 points, complemented by 10 rebounds and six successful free throws.
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Caden Giles contributed 12 points on 6-for-9 shooting, while
Kolier Pruett recorded two blocks and two steals, alongside four points and two assists.
- The Cavs shot 50 percent (36-72) from the field, including 68 points in the paint. The Mocs shot 40% (30-75) from the field and an impressive 13-29 from three-point range.
- UVA Wise won the rebounding battle by a 45-40 margin.
- For their efforts over the weekend, Diallo and Roberts were both named to the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic Team.
UP NEXT
The Cavs will have almost two weeks off before the "real" regular season begins in earnest as they will face Lees-McRae in Jefferson City, Tennessee, in the SAC vs. Conference Carolinas Challenge. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 15 from Holt Fieldhouse.
