Story by Ashley Magallanez, D&E Sports Information Intern

ELKINS, W.Va.-  Davis & Elkins held on in a nail-bitter to defeat Cedarville University, 60-58 on Thursday.

D&E was led by Devin Miller with 15 points, and an impressive double-double by Alex Vasiljevic with 10 points 12 rebounds. The Yellow Jackets were led by Marcus Reineke with 19 points and Jason Cuffee who added 10.

Coach Chris Cottrell said, "Anytime you hold a good offensive team like Cedarville under 40% from the field, you give yourself a chance to win. I thought our team did a tremendous job on the glass and being in every competitive play."

The Senators scored 26 of the game's first 36 points to seize a 26-10 lead, capped by a Komakech put-back dunk. CU recovered from a cold start to score the next 14 points and cut the deficit to 26-24. Davis & Elkins pushed the lead back to nine with an 8-0 run, making the score 35-26. D&E held a 35-28 to take them into the half. 

"Offensively, when we play aggressive and unselfish we are really, really good. Doesn't matter man or zone when the ball moves, were a good team," Cottrell added.

Miller had a big first half, pouring in 13 points. Marcus Reineke added in 10 for the Yellow Jackets. D&E shot a whopping 55.2% from the field to start the half.

The Davis & Elkins advantage grew to 50-36 early in second half with 11 minutes left. Reineke buried a pair of threes to spark a 12-2 blitz by the Jackets, trimming the lead to 52-48. Vasiljevic scored D&E's final eight points; Cuffee's three at the buzzer wouldn't fall as the Senators came away with a 60-58 victory.

The Senators prevailed on the glass 39-30 and had 21 bench points, compared to CU's nine. The game featured no ties and no lead changes.

"I thought our student section was awesome, I thought our bench was great and when our team plays to their potential their a really great group," Cottrell stated.

D&E hosts Central State on Saturday at 4 p.m.