WHEELING, W. Va. – A late push to trim the deficit to just two points was as close as D&E would get in a hard-fought 72-68 road defeat against Wheeling on Saturday afternoon at the McDonough Center.
Erkam Kiris scored a team-high 19 points and grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds in just 26 minutes, while
Donte Doleman posted 18 points in 40 minutes of action for Davis & Elkins (6-14, 4-10 MEC).
Tyler Twyman canned five three's and notched 15 points in 26 minutes off the bench.
Jordan Reid poured in a game-high 24 points, grabbed six boards and handed out four assists in an all-around effort for Wheeling (10-7, 7-6 MEC). Jarrett Haines added 13 points, four rebounds and four assists for the Cardinals, who exacted a measure of revenge following a 74-73 defeat to D&E back on December 4.
With its last lead coming at 30-29, D&E clawed back most of the second half to stay within striking distance until the end. The Cardinals ended the half on a 10-2 run over the final 4:12 to take a 35-30 halftime edge.
Doleman tied the game at 35 before Wheeling fired back with the next 11 points. Twyman stuck a three from the left wing with 34 seconds remaining, bringing D&E to within 68-66, and
Mandela Baledrokadroka converted a layup with 10 seconds left to make it 70-68. Wheeling ran out the clock on the ensuing trip down the floor and made two foul shots down the stretch to move back ahead by four.
Baledrokadroka scored a career-high nine points and added two rebounds and three assists. Twyman has scored a career-high 15 points in each of the last two games for the Senators.
Davis & Elkins returns to the court on Wednesday, February 5 for a home clash with Urbana at 7:30 PM from the McDonnell Center.
