Jackets Top Wilberforce

Patrick Bain tries to get by a Wilberforce defender on a fast break (Photo: Christian Cortes).

Easton Bazzoli (left) and Justice Montgomery (right) lead an offensive drive (Photo: Christian Cortes).

Robert Okoro takes some contact as he goes up for a layup (Photo: Christian Cortes).

Evan Kraatz slips past two defenders and finishes with a contested layup (Photo: Christian Cortes).

Robert Okoro finishes with a layup after being fouled (Photo: Christian Cortes).

Senior Justice Montgomery takes on three Wilberforce defenders and finishes with a layup (Photo: Christian Cortes).

Easton Bazzoli finishes a highly contested layup between two Wilberforce defenders (Photo: Christian Cortes).

Cedarville defeated Wilberforce Saturday night 77-69. This is Cedarville’s second straight win, and they also improved to 4-4 on the season.

Patrick Mitchell had a very impressive showing that led Wilberforce with 32 points and 13 rebounds. While Patrick Bain led Cedarville in scoring with 19 points and J.C. Faubion led Cedarville in rebounding with eight and pitched in 15 points of his own.

Coach Estepp had nothing but praise for Mitchell.

“Mitchell’s probably one of the best guards that we’ve had to play all year. He really went off tonight and hit some tough shots.”

The game started relatively even with the lead switching back and forth between both teams. However, Wilberforce took a 16-11 lead with 14 minutes remaining and they kept that lead for most of the first half.

With four minutes left in the half, Cedarville managed to regain the lead 34-30. Cedarville kept the lead and they ended the half ahead of Wilberforce 39-35.

Cedarville held onto to their lead for the first ten minutes of the second half. However, Wilberforce took the lead and was ahead with nine minutes remaining.

Cedarville then went on a 10-0 run to regain the lead on Wilberforce, 67-63, with about six minutes remaining in the game.

The Yellow Jackets played very well on defense at the end of the game. Wilberforce scored on only two of their last twelve possessions while Cedarville scored on seven of their last ten possessions.

This impressive play at the end of the game helped Cedarville claim victory.

Coach Estepp had high praise for the Yellow Jacket’s defense at the end of the game.

“We really started defending well in the last seven minutes. Probably in the last seven minutes is some of the best defense we’ve played in a long time.”

Cedarville will play their next game at Saint Joseph’s College on December 10^th.

Eric Blevins is a freshman at Cedarville with an undeclared major. He enjoys soccer, reading and writing fiction, and playing too much FIFA.