Men's Basketball survives Fisk
Wiley University men's basketball player Demarius Pitts hit a 3-pointer and Tayvion Fisher converted from the line in the closing seconds to lead the Wildcats back from a five-point deficit in a 79-77 victory over Fisk University Thursday in a Gulf Coast Athletic Conference game at Alumni Gymnasium.
The Wildcats (9-10, 5-6 GCAC) split the series against Fisk and even their home record. The win moves Wiley into fifth place.
In a game that featured 10 lead changes and seven ties, Wiley held a 72-67 lead with 3:15 left in the game on baskets by Devon Barshow and Tayvion Fisher. It came up empty at the foul line and turned the ball over. The Bulldogs took advantage with two layups. They were fouled on the second one – which allowed Fisk to tie the game at 72. The Wildcats missed two shots and turned the ball over. Fisk hit a 3-pointer and a layup to take a five-point lead with 1:04 remaining.
Devon Barshow cut the margin to three – hitting a pair of free throws after being fouled on an offensive rebound with 42 seconds left. Fisk came up empty at the free-throw line. Delor Johnson grabbed the rebound, and passed to Jalen Bates, who found Demarius Pitts in the corner. He shot without hesitation and swished the tying shot with 10 seconds left. Fisk's Jayden Lockett lost control of the ball, Bates picked it up and dished to Fisher who was fouled on a layup attempt with three seconds left. Fisher calmly put the ball through the net to give the Wildcats the lead. Fisk's game-winning 3-pointer was off the mark.
Wiley outshot Fisk 52.4 to 44.6 percent. It was outrebounded 44-27 but won the turnover battle 22-14. Seventeen of the Wildcats' takeaways came on steals, leading to 24 points off turnovers. Johnson and Fisher led the Wiley with 19 points. Johnson added three assists, two steals and two blocks. Fisher tallied three rebounds and two steals. Barshow finished in double digits with 12 points, adding three steals, three rebounds and two assists. Bates had seven assists and six steals.
In the first half, Wiley took the lead on a layup by Robert Ogola. A jumper by Brayden Bradshaw, a 3-pointer by Johnson and a layup by Fisher put Wiley in front 48-40 at halftime.
The Wildcats will wrap up their homestand against Oakwood University at 8 p.m. Saturday. The Ambassadors played Philander Smith University on Thursday.
For more coverage on the Wildcats visit Men's Basketball - Wiley University (wileyathletics.com)
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