Yellow Jackets Handle Pressure Down Stretch, Beat ECSU 69-61 - West Virginia State University Athletics

West Virginia State University Athletics

   The baskets and the balls were the same as last night but this time the ball was going through the basket a lot more frequently.

    The Yellow Jackets showed signs of finding their shooting touch Saturday, especially at the free throw line, and held off a late charge by Elizabeth City State to win 69-61 in the final game of the Earl Lloyd Conference Challenge.

     WVSU players hit 48 percent from the floor, 88 percent from the free throw line, and a strong 41 percent from 3-point range in the first half while gradually building a 45-31 halftime advantage.

    A total of nine Yellow Jackets scored in the first 20 minutes as WVSU Head Coach Bryan Poore substituted five for five a couple of times as he works to find the best combination of players early in the season.

"We are still in the process if learning each other and coming together," WVSU Head Coach Bryan Poore said. "This win will help our confidence."

     The Vikings came out hot after halftime though and went on a little 13-4 run to cut the WVSU lead to five at 49-44.

     A few minutes later ECSU had fought all the way back to tie the score at 55-55 with 8:00 remaining.

     Jeremiah Moore hit a 3-pointer to get the lead back for the Yellow Jackets and then there was very little scoring over the next four minutes of action.

     Finally a three-point play by Pat Johnson-Agwu stretched the WVSU margin back to 63-59 with 2:41 to play.

    The Vikings were forced to foul down the Yellow Jackets hit their final seven free throw attempts, including Johnson-Agwu's, to stay safely in front until the buzzer.

"This was a good team win," Poore said. "Ee didn't play our best but we found a way to pull out a victory."

    Ernest Jenkins paced WVSU with 16 points while Moore added 11 and Johnson-Agwu nine.

   * Game 3 -- Johnson C. Smith 79, UVa-Wise 58

    The Golden Bulls finished the weekend 2-0 with the win.

    Robert Davis had a big day with 25 points while Roddric Ross contributed 19 points and nine rebounds.

     Michal Seals led the Cavaliers with 21 points.

Print Friendly Version