Bison Men's Basketball Drops 85-73 Decision to Wesley

Dec. 28 – ASHLAND, Va. – The Bethany College men's basketball team's three-game winning streak came to an end as the Bison dropped an 85-73 decision to Wesley College in the opening round of the Randolph Macon College Coaches' Tournament on Monday evening.

The first half proved to be the difference in the game as the Bison were outscored by 15 points in the opening frame.  The Wolverines took the early, double-digit advantage by hitting eight of their first nine shots in the opening five minutes to take a 17-5 lead.

Bethany would quickly respond, however, using three, three-point plays to close the gap. The first three-point play was turned in by Calique Jones (Pittsburgh, Pa./Obama Academy), who grabbed a rebound and went coast-to-coast for the fast break layup. Jones, who was fouled on the play, converted the free throw to cut the lead to single digits.

Chris Harris (Brecksville, Ohio/Brecksville-Broadview Heights) followed Jones' three-point play with one of his own on Bethany's next possession. Javonte' Trujillo (Aurora, Colo./Grandview) then knocked down his first triple of the game, pulling the Bison within three (17-14) with 13:40 to go in the half.

From there, the Bison would find a cold spell, hitting just one shot from the field over the next six minutes, as Wesley outscored the Green & White 13-3 to push the advantage to 30-17 with 7:36 to play. The gap would expand to as many as 16 (44-28) and the Bison found themselves trailing 44-29 at the break.

At the start of the second half, Wesley tallied the first bucket to put the Bison in their biggest hole of the game (46-29). Bethany would respond with an 11-3 run to once again cut the lead to single digits.

Harris got the run started with a pair of free throws, and was followed by three points from Liam Davis (Orlando, Fla./Orlando Christian). After a Wesley three, Jones answered right back with a triple of his own, before an "old-fashioned" three-point play by Harris pulled the Bison within nine (49-40) with 15:49 to play.

The lead proved to be just a bit too large, with the Bison getting as close as seven points (58-51) on a pair of free throws by Davis. However, Bethany could get no closer, eventually falling by a final of 85-73.

Making his first start of the season, Harris had his best game of the year, playing 23 minutes and finishing with a team-high 15 points and seven rebounds. Harris led four in double figures, as Davis added 14 points off the bench. Jones also finished with 10 points, as did senior Alan Harper (Cleveland, Ohio/Cleveland Central Catholic). Jones has now scored in double figures in seven of the team's first nine games of the year.

The Green & White will be back in action on Tuesday, December 29, as they compete in the second day of the R-MC Coaches Tournament. The Bison will play at 5 p.m. against either the host Yellow Jackets or Bryn Athyn College.