Montreat Uses Long-Range Barrage to Defeat UVa-Wise

January 17, 2006
Boxscore

Wise, Va. – Montreat College used a barrage of 16 three-pointers to help fend off a hard-charging University of Virginia’s College at Wise men’s basketball team Tuesday evening. Montreat hit eight treys in each half to hold on for the 83-77 victory.

Montreat takes its season mark to 10-8 and 8-3 in the Appalachian Athletic Conference. The Highland Cavaliers fall to 7-13 and 3-8 in the conference.

Thomas Nicholson drained five of seven triples for a team-high 19 points for Montreat. Aaron Collazo added 14 tallies including four three-pointers. As a team, Montreat connected on 16 of 33 from long-range and 51.9% (28 of 54) from the field on the night.

Zydrunas Rackauskas, the AAC men’s player of the week, continued his torrid run of outings for UVa-Wise. The freshman set a career-high for the third-straight game with 26 points to go with 15 rebounds. Parker Gemmell knocked down 23 points while both Seth Gibson and Jarred Soles had 14 apiece.

The Cavs jumped out to an early 10-2 lead in the opening 2:29 fueled by five points from Gibson. Montreat struck back and eventually captured a 21-20 lead at 10:47. The game remained close and was tied, 39-39, for the third time with 3:20 left in the half. Montreat finished strong outscoring the home team 9-1 over the final minutes for a 48-40 halftime lead.

Montreat built the margin to as many as 15 points, 57-42, in the first three minutes on back-to-back treys from Collazo. The Cavs cut the difference by 10 points down to 62-57 with 10:52 on a Gibson jumper.

The margin was back to 10 points, 80-70, with 2:44 to go. Gemmell and Rackauskas hit baskets and then Gemmell knocked down a three-pointer to make it 81-77 with 27 seconds left. Montreat made two of four free throws in the final seconds and UVa-Wise could not get another shot to fall or take advantage of a turnover to complete the comeback for the final of 81-77.

The Cavs complete the four-game homestand by hosting Brevard College Saturday night at 7:30 p.m.