ROCK HILL, SC – The UVA Wise men's basketball team ended the 2024-25 season with a 104-95 loss to Carson-Newman in the South Atlantic Conference Basketball Tournament Wednesday afternoon. The Highland Cavaliers, who were seeded fourth in the tournament, were unable to overcome the 70 percent-plus shooting by the fifth-seeded Eagles from both the field and three-point range in the second half despite a heroic effort.
They end their season with an 18-11 overall record and a 15-9 record in SAC play. The 18 wins are the second-most in a season in the program's NCAA era (after the 19-12 finish in 2022-23) and tie for the fourth-most in program history with the 1996-97 squad. The 15 conference wins are the most in the NCAA era and second only behind 2003's 17 Appalachian Athletic Conference wins.
The loss also ends the careers of six Cavalier seniors who leave a long shadow on the program. More on them below.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Result: Carson-Newman 104, UVA Wise 95
Records: UVA Wise (18-11); Carson-Newman (21-10)
Location: Rock Hill, SC | Rock Hill Sports & Events Center
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Eagles took the early lead, going up by seven at one point before the Cavs tied the game at 22-22 on a
Bradley Dean three-pointer and taking the lead on the next possession from a
Kolier Pruett three-pointer. Then it was UVA Wise's turn to make a run, taking a 42-33 lead after three
Calen Lightford free throws with 5:08 remaining. C-N would surge back in the final minutes and hold a 48-44 lead at the half.
- Carson-Newman came out firing on all cylinders in the second half, as they would hit 71.9 percent from the field and 76.9 percent from behind the arc for the half. They would open with a 10-2 run and despite their best efforts the Cavs could not get any closer than six points for the rest of the half. C-N then held on for the 104-95 victory to advance in the tournament to face Lincoln Memorial Thursday at Noon.
- Braden Ilic led the Eagles with 25 points, while Nick Brenegan had 19, Trey Hubbard had 17, John Zhao scored 16, and Jack Browder chipped in eleven points. Browder led the team with eight rebounds, and Hubbard had a game high 12 assists.
- C-N won the rebounding battle by a 35-22 margin. For the game, the Eagles shot 68.9 percent, a new SAC Tournament record, and hit 17 three-pointers in the contest.
GETTING WISE
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Patrick Shelley led the Cavs with 26 points and six rebounds.
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Zy'Ever Wingfield had 24 points, while
Calen Lightford scored 12 and
Lav Cvetkovic' added in ten points. Wingfield also led the team with four assists.
- The loss ends the career of
Bradley Dean,
Zy'Ever Wingfield,
Lav Cvetkovic',
Brad Halvorsen,
Josh Newland, and Zach Owens. The latter three have seen limited action during their time on the squad, but all have excelled in the classroom and have big plans for life after graduation.
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Lav Cvetkovic' ends his UVA Wise career with 660 points, 257 rebounds, and 119 assists. Had had career highs in scoring this season and is seeking to continue playing basketball after graduation in his home country of Serbia.
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Zy'Ever Wingfield came close to his personal best this season of 25 with his 24 points today. He ends his Cavalier career with 599 points at UVA Wise (and 881 total points including his first two seasons at LeMoyne College.). He also had 224 rebounds and 119 assists as a Cavalier. He plans to further his education and one day become a Psychotherapist.
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Bradley Dean will go down in history as one of the most decorated players to play at UVA Wise. Playing his prep career during a magical run for Gate City High School, he was a key player in their state title run in 2018. He brought his skills to Wise, and in addition to being named to the D2CC All-Region team he was also the SAC Player of the Year in 2022-23 and First-Team All-SAC in 2022-23 and 2024-25. After testing the Division I waters for a season, he returned home to finish his career in Southwest Virginia. He ends his UVA Wise career with 1,512 points, 371 rebounds, 358 assists, and 106 steals. His points rank him twelfth all-time in program history. He plans to continue playing basketball at a professional level after graduation.
UP NEXT
The Highland Cavaliers will return in the fall.
