WINGATE, NC – UVA Wise used a dominating 44-28 rebounding advantage and a second half surge to capture their fifteenth victory of the season as they caged the Bulldogs by a 81-70 score Friday evening.
The game was moved up 22 hours due to the severe winter weather forecast for the region this weekend.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Result: Wingate 81, UVA Wise 70
Records: UVA Wise (15-5, 8-4 SAC); Wingate (9-9, 4-8 SAC)
Location: Wingate, NC | Cuddy Arena
HOW IT HAPPENED
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Kam Roberts gave the Cavs the 2-0 lead with a jumper at 19:07. The teams traded baskets for a few minutes until UVA Wise went on a 9-2 run that included a fastbreak dunk by
Cy Hardy and a layup from
Yoro Diallo.
Evan Ramsey contributed significantly with seven points, including a three-point play at 15:28, pushing the lead to 13-5. Wingate narrowed the gap with a three-pointer from Alex Godley at 16:52, but the Cavs maintained their lead, closing the half ahead 42-29, with a strong defensive effort resulting in six steals and a commanding 26-11 rebounding edge.
- The Bulldogs started the second half with a scoring surge, highlighted by Isaiah Vick's layup at 17:07 to cut UVA Wise's lead. They eventually tied the score and Derek Bradley's fast-break three-pointer at 15:56 gave Wingate a brief lead, but Roberts' free throws tied the score at 43. The Cavaliers then took control, with
Calen Lightford hitting a three-pointer at 13:47 and Ramsey adding a dunk at 13:17 to establish a four-point lead. Diallo's consecutive layups extended the Highland Cavaliers' advantage to nine points, and they built the lead to 21 twice. Wingate's made late efforts at a comeback, but never seriously threatened as UVA Wise secured the 81-70 victory.
GETTING WISE
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Evan Ramsey had a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds.
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Yoro Diallo led all scorers with 18 points as he went 6-9 from the field and 5-5 from the free throw line. He also had eight rebounds and five assists.
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Cy Hardy scored twelve points and had four assists and two steals.
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Kam Roberts had ten points, eight rebounds, and two steals.
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Kolier Pruett scored nine points and had three rebounds.
UP NEXT
The Highland Cavaliers will open up a three game homestand as they host Mars Hill at The Quillen Court in the David J. Prior Convocation Center Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m. UVA Wise won the earlier meeting at Mars Hill 81-77.
