Soles Powers Cavs Over Tornado

December 8, 2007
BOXSCORE

Wise, Va. – Jarred Soles’ career-high 33 points powered UVa-Wise over King College in men’s basketball action Saturday night. The senior went six of six in the last 44 seconds to seal the 76-68 Appalachian Athletic Conference victory.

Soles hit 10 of 15 shots including four of five from long-range and nine of 11 free throws for the 33 points. The Yorktown, Va. native had his previous career-high, 31 points, last January 30 th in Wise against King College. Pance Kecev (Nickelsville, Va.) made four triples for 15 points. Daniel Adams (Floyd, Va.) had his best night for UVa-Wise (6-7, 2-2 AAC) of 10 tallies and five boards.

King (8-3, 2-2 AAC) had a balanced scoring night with Torrington Cox leading with 16 points. Clarence Smith had a double-double of 14 points and 13 caroms while both Mark Dockery and Nick Pasqua added 14 points.

Leading 41-30 at the intermission, the Cavs enjoyed its largest lead of the second stanza of 12 points, 45-33, less than two minutes in on a Bryan Sexton (Lebanon, Va.) jumper. King rallied to pull within four, 47-43, before two Soles jumpers and a three-point play by Kecev pushed it back to 11 points.

The Tornado turned up the press defense in the final five minutes and chipped away at the deficit down to two points, 70-68, with 30 seconds. Soles hit two pairs of free throws with another perfect pair by Joey Blackwell (Kingsport, Tenn.) sandwiched between to push the final to 76-68.

Ahead 20-19 at 7:18 in the first half, Soles hit a jumper and two treys with a Kecev three-pointer in the run for what would be an 11-point halftime lead.

UVa-Wise forced 25 King turnovers and never trailed after a Soles jumper and Kecev triple in the opening three minutes.

The Cavs will now be off facing their fourth NCAA Division I opponent, Appalachian State, on December 17 th in a 7:00 p.m. contest.