Banner Elk, N.C. - Southern Wesleyan defeated the Lees-McRae Bobcats in a 98-92 final on Wednesday evening. 

The Warriors shot 57.9% from the field in the big conference road win. Ta'Jay Dunlap led the team with 20 points and he was followed by TJ Harvin with 19, Cameron Holmes with 18, and Clenzo Ross with 15 points. Solomon Smith and Edwon Brady each produced three assists while Harvin added three steals as they each led the team within the respected stats. Southern Wesleyan had 34 rebounds as a team, with Holmes having six and Solomon and Dunlap following with five each. Dunlap and Tranard Ferrell each had a block in the game. 

Game Vitals

Final: Southern Wesleyan 98, Lees-McRae 92

Records: Southern Wesleyan (15-9 / CC 11-5) Lees-McRae (16-8 / CC 9-7)

Coach Pasqua Says...

"Very proud of our team. We had multiple guys step up and provide quality minutes."

How It Happened

Lees-McRae opened up the contest with the first made basket on Wednesday evening, but Solomon Smith would counter with a dunk after obtaining the offensive rebound. TJ Harvin and Ta'Jay Dunlap would each add a made 3-pointer to extend the Warriors lead to 8-5. The Bobcats were able to come back and hold on to the lead momentarily before Southern Wesleyan would be back on top at 13-11 with a layup from Clenzo Ross. Lees-McRae would go on to take the lead over the Warriors which would reach the biggest lead of the game at nine points. Southern Wesleyan would chip away at that lead with shots from Cameron Holmes and Dunlap. However, Lees-McRae would lead 47-44 at the half.

The Warriors first point of the second half would come from Smith's free throw as they cut the Bobcats lead to four. Lees-McRae maintained their lead for several minutes, but Tranard Ferrell's layup would pull the Warriors within one, trailing 54-55. For each shot the Warriors made, the Bobcats would counter to keep their lead. Eventually, the Warriors would go up one after Harvin's free throw was good coming from the foul drawn on his made jump shot. He would follow that shot with a 3-pointer to put the Warriors ahead, 80-76. Southern Wesleyan would go on to maintain the lead for the remaining minutes as they would finish with a 98-92 win over Lees-McRae.

What's Next

Southern Wesleyan will return home to host the Belmont Abbey Crusaders on February 15 at 4 p.m. They will then host the Chowan Hawks on February 19 at 7:30 p.m.