Bluefield Storms out of the Half to Run Away from UVa-Wise

February 16, 2008
BOXSCORE

Wise, Va. – After a big comeback for a tie at the half, Bluefield stormed out of the intermission on a 13-3 run to decide the game and run away from UVa-Wise Saturday afternoon. The Rams never lost the double figure lead the rest of the way with Coryon Ross’ 31 points leading the way over the Highland Cavaliers in Appalachian Athletic Conference men’s basketball action.

Jarred Soles (Yorktown, Va.) hit for 15 points in the first half for the home team before finishing with 20 points. His 20 points moved him into fifth place on the all-time scoring list with 1,587 points to surpass Mario Walker (1992-96) who had 1,584. Travis Willis (Woodbridge, Va.) was the lone other double digit scorer with 11 points off the UVa-Wise (12-16/7-9 AAC) bench.

Ross made nine of 19 shots and 10 of 13 from the line for the game-best 31 points. The Rams (21-6/13-3 AAC) received 13 points, six assists and three steals from Jimmy Witherspoon.

The Cavs came out strong in the friendly confides of Greear Gym over the first 13 minutes. After a Ross layup to start the game, UVa-Wise rattled off 11-straight points for an 11-2 lead. The visitors cut the margin down to four, 15-11, before Soles hit back-to-back three-pointers for the largest lead of the half, 31-19, at 6:54.

Bluefield made the first of its two game-changing spurts. The Rams made a 16-3 run to take the lead 35-34 before the two teams went into half tie, 37-37. The second run was over the opening three minutes out of the half where triples by Ross, James Childress and Dontae Gholson capped a 13-3 run to lead 50-40.

The Cavs were able to get no closer than the 10-point difference six times before a three-point play by Willis cut it to 78-69 with 7:59 remaining. Ross made sure Bluefield would not be challenged with his third and final trey on the next possession before posting the 92-82 final.

UVa-Wise will face Milligan College on the road next Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m.