Cavs Grind Out Victory over Scots

January 25, 2008
BOXSCORE

Wise, Va. – The UVa-Wise men’s basketball team grinded out a Friday victory over Covenant College. Adam Hood pumped in 16 points as the Cavs’ bench accounted for 43 points to aid in the 84-76 Appalachian Athletic Conference win over the Scots.

Hood (Rye Cove, Va.) connected on six of 11 attempts for the UVa-Wise game-high 16 points. Jarred Soles ( Yorktown, Va.) hit six of 11 shots as well for 13 points while Pance Kecev (Nickelsville, Va.) hit three triples on the way to 12 tallies. The Kentucky connection, Eric Swords (Williamsburg, Ky.) and Robert Amis (Hazard, Ky.), chipped in nine points apiece while Travis Brannon (Glade Spring, Va.) grabbed seven boards.

The Highland Cavaliers (9-12/5-5 AAC) netted the game’s opening eight points with Kecev accounting for five of the points. The home team would never trail in the game. The first half lead grew to as many as 14 points, 35-21, on a Joey Blackwell (Kingsport, Tenn.) trey with 5:00 on the clock. Covenant (5-15/2-8 AAC) chipped the margin down to seven points, 40-33, by the half.

UVa-Wise had the lead back to eight points two times in the first six minutes only to see Covenant pull to within a basket, 52-50, at 12:52. The visitors continued to be pesky and were able to get the difference down to two one more time and three points on three occasions but were never able to take the lead. The Cavs made eight of 11 free throws in the final two minutes to take away the 84-76 victory.

Dan Nielson scored 17 points in the first half before finishing with 21 tallies on the night to lead the Scots. James Cunningham added 14 points and Reed Crosson 12.

UVa-Wise will continue its weekend pair of games with a 6:00 p.m. affair against AAC rival Bryan College.