Men's Basketball takes down Rust College

Three Wiley University men's basketball players scored in double figures – helping the Wildcats snap a three-game losing streak with a 78-72 victory over Rust College Thursday in a Gulf Coast Athletic Conference game at Alumni Gymnasium.

The Wildcats (7-7, 3-3 GCAC) improved to 3-2 at home and moved up to fifth in the conference standings – trailing Dillard University by a half-game. The victory was the third straight against Rust College.

The GCAC leading scorer Delor Johnson scored 25 points - hitting 10 shots, including three of five from 3-point territory. It's his 11th game with 20 or more points this season. He also contributed six steals, four rebounds and three assists. Demarius Pitts recorded his first double-double of the season and second in his career with 18 points and 10 rebounds. He shared the team lead in assists with Jalen Bates at four. Tayvion Fisher recorded a career-high 16 points. He hit six of seven shots, including two 3-pointers.

Wiley opened the game with a 9-2 run on baskets by Pitts, Johnson and Shamir Mosley. A pair of scoring droughts allowed Rust to cut the lead to three. The Wildcats pulled away in the last three minutes of the half. Johnson made a layup and was fouled. He missed the free throw but Devon Barshow rebounded it and laid it in, giving the Wildcats a 34-27 lead. Johnson stole the ball and dished to Shamir Mosley who increased the lead to nine. Wiley held a 40-31 halftime lead.

Three-pointers by Pitts and Fisher increased the lead to 13 with 14:09 remaining in the game. The Wildcats only hit two shots in three minutes, which allowed Rust to cut the lead to four with nine minutes left. It would get as close as three, but Johnson, Pitts and Fisher hit shots to push the lead to seven.

The Wildcats outshot the Bearcats 44.4 to 39 percent. They shot better from 3-point range, hitting seven while Rust only made two of 18. Wiley outrebounded the Bearcats 45-41 and won the turnover battle 21-17. Twelve of the Wildcats' takeaways came of steals.

Wiley will continue its homestand on Saturday against the defending champion Tougaloo College. The Bulldogs fell 87-62 at Philander Smith University on Thursday.

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

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