Central, SC – Southern Wesleyan soared past the Shorter Hawks on Wednesday evening in an 86-77 final score.
The Warriors shot 50% from the field in their third conference victory of the season. Southern Wesleyan had five players in the double-digit column on Wednesday. Will Little led the team with 23 points. He was followed by Bobby Taylor, Valdy Zephir and Malachi Cooper each with 14 points. Jaquay Randolph was the final Warrior in double-digits as he had 13 points. The Warriors totaled 11 assists with Josh Parker leading the team with five.
Southern Wesleyan collected 43 rebounds in the game. Jaquay Randolph picked up his fourteenth double-double game of the season as he pulled down 19 boards in the game. Both Randolph and Jamarras McCray had two blocks. Josh Parker had the lone steal of the game for the Warriors.
Game Vitals
Final: Southern Wesleyan 86, Shorter 77
Records: Southern Wesleyan (6-11 / CC 3-7) Shorter (7-10 / CC 5-6)
How It Happened
The Hawks came out quick as layups by Donovan Shangase and Axel Holmquist gave them the early advantage. Valdy Zephir hit a mid-range jump shot and then Josh Parker knocked down a three, but Shorter continued to press ahead. With just over fifteen minutes on the clock, Parker got the ball under the basket to Will Little. Little laid the ball up to put the Warriors within four. Southern Wesleyan continued to chip away at Shorter's lead as Zephir laid the ball up into the basket once again. Little went to the rim once more to tie the game up. The tie was short lived as a three pointer by Jalien Bush allowed the Hawks to regain the advantage. The Warriors did not back down as Jaquay Randolph got under the basket and laid the ball up. Will Little put up a three pointer to give the Warriors 22-18 point advantage over the Hawks. Parker got the ball under the basket to Jaquay Randolph who slammed it into the basket. The Warriors would not relent as Little laid the ball up into the basket seconds later. Malachi Cooper hit a mid-range to extend the Warriors lead to seven. With just over four minutes on the clock, Josh Parker got up a floater. Axel Holmquist attempted a layup, but Jaquay Randolph got up and blocked the ball to keep the Hawks from cutting into the Warriors lead. Michael Johnson laid the ball up into the basket and was fouled in the process to earn the and-one basket. The Warriors led 45-35 at halftime after a buzzer beater shot by Bobby Taylor.
Josh Parker got the ball under the basket to Valdy Zephir seconds into the second half. Zephir got up and slammed the ball into the basket for a dunk. A layup by Bobby Taylor allowed the Warriors to extend their lead to fourteen. Alex Holmquist got up a layup, but Southern Wesleyan answered with a layup by Will Little. Shorter attacked the basket, but a charging foul by Chris Bibbs forced the Hawks to turn the ball back over to the Warriors. With just under fourteen minutes left in the half, the Hawks went on the attack as Donovan Shangase laid the ball up into the basket. Bobby Taylor and Little got up a couple of layups. Will Little got up and knocked down a three pointer from deep beyond the arc to extend the Warriors lead to 66-48. The Hawks answered with a three pointer of their own out of the hands of Jalien Bush. Ja'Myas Davis laid the ball up into the basket, but Malachi Cooper answered as he stepped around the defense and laid the ball up into the basket for the Warriors. Valdy Zephir electrified the stands as he got up and slammed the ball into the basket seconds later. Shorter increased their attacks as Chris Bibbs laid the ball up into the basket and then Ja'Myas Davis hit a three pointer. With seconds remaining on the clock, Cooper knocked down another three pointer. The Warriors pressed on as they claimed an 86-77 point victory over the Hawks.
What's Next
The Warriors will welcome the Trojans of the University of Mount Olive to Central, SC on January 23 for a 5pm tip-off. They will then host the Young Harris Mountain Lions on January 27. On January 31, the Warriors will travel down to Florence, SC to take on the Francis Marion Patriots at 4pm.
