Box Score ELKINS, W.Va. — The Davis & Elkins College men's basketball team celebrated its seniors in style Saturday afternoon, pulling away in the second half for a 105-90 victory over West Virginia Wesleyan inside the McDonnell Center.
Prior to tipoff, Davis & Elkins honored seniors Tristan Starks, Nnadozie Okoroji and Vegas Evans for their contributions to the program. The trio combined for 60 points in their final home game as the Senators improved to 9-19 overall and 6-13 in Mountain East Conference play.
After a back-and-forth first half that featured three ties and eight lead changes, the teams entered the locker room tied at 49-49. Davis & Elkins shot 58.6 percent from the floor in the opening 20 minutes, but West Virginia Wesleyan stayed within reach behind 12 first-half 3-pointers.
The Senators seized control early in the second half. Okoroji opened the period with a 3-pointer, sparking a 13-2 run that pushed the lead to double digits. Davis & Elkins extended its advantage to as many as 17 points midway through the half and maintained separation down the stretch.
Okoroji turned in one of his most efficient performances of the season, finishing with 27 points on 9-of-10 shooting, including 7-of-8 from beyond the arc, while adding four rebounds and two assists.
Evans recorded a triple-double in his final home game, totaling 24 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists while controlling the game on both ends of the floor. Matthew Gray added 21 points and eight rebounds, while Malachi Hampton and Dontrell Jenkins contributed 12 points apiece.
Starks added nine points and four rebounds in his final appearance at the McDonnell Center, helping the Senators shoot 59.1 percent from the field and 56 percent from 3-point range for the game.
Davis & Elkins finished with advantages in points in the paint (44-28), fast-break points (17-9) and points off turnovers (16-10), while assisting on 21 of its 39 made field goals.
With the win, the Senators clinched the No. 8 seed in the MEC Tournament and will face No. 9 seed Point Park in the first round Wednesday, March 4. Tipoff is set for 8:30 p.m. at WesBanco Arena.