Men's Basketball wraps season in GCAC Quarterfinals

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Wiley University men's basketball team nearly overcame a double-digit deficit in the second half but fell short in a 65-56 loss against Fisk University in the 2024 Hope Credit Union Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Championship quarterfinals Friday at Stillman College's Birthright Alumni Hall.

The Wildcats finish the 2023-24 season with a 12-14 record. It is their first loss in their opening game in a conference tournament since 2018. The game was the last for Christian Beeke and Delor Johnson, who led the GCAC in scoring and earned Second Team All-GCAC.

After being tied at halftime, Wiley trailed 50-34 with 14:45 left in the game. Demarius Pitts hit two shots, including a 3-pointer to cut the margin to single digits with 12:39 left. Beeke made a second-chance bucket and a layup to pull the Wildcats within one with 3:20 remaining. They only made one shot, which allowed Fisk to pull away.

Johnson led the Wildcats with 19 points, hitting eight shots. He also tallied three steals. Pitts followed with 12 points on five made baskets. Beeke led the team with 11 rebounds, adding seven points. Devon Barshow contributed nine points off the bench and was the only reserve who scored.

Wiley was narrowly outshot 40 to 38.6 percent. It was outrebounded 43-32. Twenty-two of the 35 fouls called were against Wiley, which led to Fisk getting twice as many free throw opportunities. The Wildcats were outscored 20-9 at the charity stripe.

The Wildcats are projected to return most of the roster, including All-GCAC Defensive Team selection Jalen Bates and starters Pitts and Shamir Mosley. Key reserves Barshow and Tayvion Fisher are also expected to return. Head coach Joseph Flegler and assistant coach Malik Cooper will spend the spring recruiting to increase depth and set up the Wildcats for a deeper postseason run in 2024-25.

For more coverage on the Wildcats visit Men's Basketball - Wiley University (wileyathletics.com)

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