Anderson, SC – Southern Wesleyan picked up their first win of the season in their opening game as they defeated the Lander Bearcats 83-78.

The Warriors shot 52.7% from the field and were 72.7% at the free throw line in their 2021-22 season opening victory.  Ta'Jay Dunlap led the Warriors with 26 points.  Dunlap was followed by Demarcus Addie with 18.  Both Davion Bradford and Tranard Ferrell had 11 points.  Southern Wesleyan collected 14 assists with Dunlap leading the team with four.

Southern Wesleyan had 30 rebounds over the course of the game, with 27 of them being defensive in nature.  Arusha Hunter led the team in rebounding with eight while Demarcus Addie followed with seven.  Tranard Ferrell blocked two shots with Hunter picking up a solo block.  The Warriors had nine steals with Davion Bradford recording six of them.


 
Game Vitals

Final: Southern Wesleyan 83, Lander 78

Records: Southern Wesleyan (1-0) Lander (0-1)


 
Coach Pasqua says…

"Really proud of the team, and how we played.  Thought we showed some toughness when we needed it most, and found a way to win."


 
How It Happened

Lander kicked off the first half with a layup in the paint by Dajuan Moorer, but Southern Wesleyan countered as Davion Bradford collected a pass from Hunter Davis and made a three pointer to put the Warriors on top 3-2.  The Bearcats fought back, but the Warriors controlled their attacks as a three pointer by Ta'Jay Dunlap and jump shot by Davis put the Warriors on top 8-6.  Dunlap stole the ball away from Jared Sherfield and charged down the court on a fast break, laying the ball up to give the Warriors an eight point advantage. A dunk off a fast break by Bradford allowed the Warriors to extend their lead further.  Julian Cameron sunk a jump shot to put the Warriors on top 26-10.  The Warriors were not done as a jump shot by Demarcus Addie and a three pointer by Tranard Ferrell allowed the Warriors to extend their lead to twenty points.  Lander countered with back-to-back baskets by Martin Vogts and Laraymond Spivery to come within fifteen, but free throws by Addie gave the Warriors a 19-point advantage with just under eight minutes left in the first half.  The Bearcats continued to chip away at the Warriors lead, but a three pointer by Julian Cameron at the buzzer allowed the Warriors to lead 49-39 at the half.

The Bearcats took the first points of the second half off a jump shot by Dajuan Moorer, but a layup in the paint by Davion Bradford kept the Warriors on top by nine.  Lander continued to gain ground on the Warriors, but baskets by Tranard Ferrell and Davion Bradford allowed the Warriors to keep their lead at seven points.  Coming off a timeout, Ta'Jay Dunlap collected the ball and sunk a jump shot to put Southern Wesleyan ahead 63-55.  Lander tied the game up at 70 on free throw baskets by Nigel Colvin.  However, the tie was short lived as Dunlap sunk a jump shot in the paint to put the Warriors back on top by two.  They extended their lead on a fast break layup by Davion Bradford and a three pointer by Demarcus Addie to give them a 77-70 point advantage with just over six minutes left in the second half.  The Warriors went on to defeat the Bearcats in an 83-78 final score.


 
What's Next

Southern Wesleyan will return to Anderson, SC tomorrow as they take on the Flagler Saints at 1 p.m.  They will then travel to Greenwood, SC on November 17 to take on the Lander Bearcats for the second time this season.  The Warriors will then open up Conference Carolinas action on November 23 as they welcome the Belmont Abbey Crusaders to Historic Tysinger Gymnasium at 7:30 p.m.