WISE – UVA Wise used a 14-0 run in the first half to build a 23 point halftime lead and coasted to the 81-65 South Atlantic Conference victory over Mars Hill Wednesday evening on the Quillen Court, setting a new David J. Prior Convocation Center-era blocks record in the process.
With the win, the Cavs have nine SAC wins for only the third time in program history and tie for the third-best conference record since the program joined the NCAA in 2013.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Result: UVA Wise 81, Mars Hill 65
Records: UVA Wise (16-5, 9-4 SAC); Mars Hill (9-10, 3-10 SAC)
Location: Wise, VA | The Quillen Court in the David J. Prior Convocation Center
HOW IT HAPPENED
- UVA Wise established early control with a tip-in from
Evan Ramsey in the opening minute. Mars Hill's Keenan Wilkins responded with a three-pointer, assisted by Alejandro Ford, at the 18:58 mark. However, the Cavs'
Kam Roberts quickly regained the lead with a three-pointer, aided by
Yoro Diallo. UVA Wise extended their lead to 20-7 overall run with a stretch of 14 straight points highlighted by a 3-pointer from
Anderson Cummins at 11:50.
Patrick Shelley and Roberts contributed with key baskets, helping UVA Wise secure a 51-28 advantage by the end of the first half.
- The Lions attempted to close the gap in the second half, but UVA Wise maintained a solid lead throughout. Shelley opened the scoring with a three-pointer assisted by
Cy Hardy at 19:48. Mars Hill's Wilkins contributed with a three-pointer at 17:25, reducing the deficit slightly. However, the Highland Cavaliers' Diallo responded with a layup at 16:38, extending their lead. Ramsey's jumper at 6:35, followed by a free throw at 5:41, helped keep the Cavaliers in control. Mars Hill kept methodically chipping away at the Cavalier lead, cutting it to 74-61 with 4:01 remaining. Despite a late jumper by Wilkins at the 10-second mark, Mars Hill could not overcome the deficit, as UVA Wise finished with a comfortable 81-65 victory.
GETTING WISE
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Kam Roberts led the team with 19 points, shooting 8-15 from the field. He also had six rebounds.
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Evan Ramsey scored 14 points as he was 5-5 from the field. He also had seven rebounds and six blocks. His six blocks are the most in the program's NCAA era and are the most since Josh Jordan had six against Lindsey Wilson on Jan. 26, 2012. The Prior Center record is ten, set by Jordan against VU Lynchburg on Nov.28, 2011.
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Patrick Shelley had 12 points, five rebounds, three blocks, and three steals.
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Kolier Pruett scored eleven points, including three three-pointers, and pulled down four rebounds.
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Yoro Diallo nearly had an unconventional double-double as he had a team-high eleven rebounds and six assists.
- UVA Wise out-rebounded the Lions 47-46.
- The fourteen total blocks are the most in the NCAA era and mark only the second time the team has had double-digit blocks since 2003. They had 12 against VU Lynchburg on Nov. 28, 2011.
- The 29 assists are the most since the team had 42 vs. VU Lynchburg on Nov. 29.
UP NEXT
UVA Wise hosts Newberry in a Saturday SAC contest currently scheduled for 2 p.m. The game time has been moved up because of the snow forecast in the area this weekend. UVA Wise beat Newberry 91-85 back on Dec. 6.
