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17 mbb high head
85
Winner Wheeling Jesuit WJU-M 20-6; 14-6 MEC
67
West Va. Wesleyan WVWC-M 12-14; 9-11 MEC
Winner
Wheeling Jesuit WJU-M
20-6; 14-6 MEC
85
Final
67
West Va. Wesleyan WVWC-M
12-14; 9-11 MEC
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Wheeling Jesuit WJU-M 49 36 85
West Va. Wesleyan WVWC-M 29 38 67

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Chris Myers

Cardinals Use First-Half Surge Against Bobcats, Post 20th Win

BUCKHANNON, W. Va. – For the third year in a row, the Cardinals can boast a 20-win season. The Wheeling Jesuit men's basketball team used an 18-1 first-half surge and powered past host West Virginia Wesleyan, 85-67, Saturday afternoon.
 
Leading 25-18, the Cardinals' (20-6/14-6 Mountain East Conference) Dominique Tham poured in three-straight layups, four of the next five buckets and 10 points overall to spur a 15-0 run. Kyle Ritz added a trey to complete the WJU seven-minute surge for a 43-19 advantage and the visitors never let West Virginia Wesleyan (12-14/9-11 MEC) back into the game.
 
"A nice win! We played good defense in the first half and we moved the ball well," said WJU head coach Danny Sancomb.
 
With the win, the Cardinals posted its 20th win of the year for the third season in a row. WJU finished 21-10 two years ago, before it went 28-4 last season.
 
"It is a nice run as we have had some really good player over that time," noted Sancomb.
 
WJU showed its scoring balance with six double-figure scorers led by Haywood Highsmith's 17 points on 7 of 13 shooting. The junior added seven rebounds.
 
Ritz was right behind Highsmith with 16 points on 7 of 9 attempts, while Pat Moseh chipped in 14 points and had three assists.
 
After 10 key first-half points and six rebounds, Tham's final line was 12 points and nine boards.
 
Preston Boswell and Jarin Hilson added 10 points apiece. Jordan Fair had six.
 
After its toughest shooting day of the season two nights ago, WJU rebounded with a 33 of 57 day from the floor (57.9%). The Cardinals also committed only nine turnovers and received 28 bench points.
 
The Bobcats' Mo Berchie dropped 30 points in the home effort.
 
WJU wasted no time in gaining the lead. The visitors put the opening four points and went out to a 15-5 advantage over the first 3:40. The Bobcats pulled back to within four, 19-15, before the Cardinals game-deciding run.
 
After 49-29 intermission lead, WJU allowed West Virginia Wesleyan no closer than 12 points twice, 65-43 and 67-45, until the 21-point final.
 
"We need to build on this (heading into the final week of the regular season)," finished the Cardinals coach.
 
WJU will complete its regular season at home next week starting with a Thursday night, Feb. 23, game against Notre Dame College. Tip is set for 7:30 p.m.

 
-GoCards-
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