In an exhilarating matchup at the Eleazer Arena, the Newberry Wolves claimed a thrilling 71-67 victory against the Emory & Henry Wasps. Key performances from veteran players Devario Sheppard and Malakhi Stremlow, along with strong contributions from Booker Cusaac and James Lovorn, helped secure the win for the Wolves. Newberry showcased both offensive firepower and tenacious defense, particularly in the closing moments, allowing them to build momentum heading into the holidays. With this win, the Wolves look to continue improving after a tough start to the season.
In the vibrant city of Newberry, the atmosphere was electric at the Eleazer Arena as the Newberry Wolves battled against the Emory & Henry Wasps, clinching a thrilling 71-67 victory for their second consecutive win in the South Atlantic Conference. This game showcased not just the prowess of the Wolves, but also their determination to climb the ranks after a rocky start to the season.
Veteran players Devario Sheppard and Malakhi Stremlow were pivotal in securing this much-needed win, stepping up when it mattered most. Sheppard led the charge with an impressive 23 points and dominated the boards with 11 rebounds. Not to be overshadowed, Stremlow had his own moment in the spotlight, contributing 8 points and matching his teammate’s rebounding efforts with 8 rebounds.
As the clock ticked down, these two men combined for a key offensive play that saw Newberry extend their lead—an essential move that showcased their teamwork and basketball IQ. When they needed it most, with just 15 seconds left on the clock, Sheppard calmly stepped to the free-throw line, converting two crucial shots after a crafty pass from Stremlow. This made the score 71-67, allowing Newberry to secure the win.
Another highlight of the game was Newberry’s tenacious defense, which completely contained Emory & Henry in the closing moments, rendering them scoreless and effectively sealing the deal. This defensive effort particularly stood out as this game was crucial for the Wolves, considering that five of their previous six losses this season came by a narrow margin of only 14 points total.
Newberry’s victory couldn’t just be attributed to Sheppard and Stremlow. Booker Cusaac also made a significant impact, tallying 13 points and grabbing 9 rebounds. This hot streak is worth noting, as Cusaac has been consistently scoring in double figures—achieving this feat four times in the last six games, accompanied by an average of eight rebounds per game over the past five contests.
And let’s not forget James Lovorn, who chipped in with 12 points. The team as a whole displayed excellent rebounding skills, out-rebounding Emory & Henry by a whopping 11, with a total of 47-36. Their effort on the offensive boards was particularly striking, as Newberry secured a 20-10 advantage.
The Wolves started strong, achieving an early 28-16 lead thanks to a basket from Drew Robinson. Lovorn’s three-pointer near the end of the first half further solidified their lead, pushing it to 34-23. However, Emory & Henry came back fighting, trimming the lead to 35-29 by the time halftime rolled around. Newberry ended the first half by shooting 6-of-14 from three-point territory while restricting their opponents to just 2-of-11.
To add onto Newberry’s strong first half, they showcased their rebounding prowess, commanding a 27-21 edge in that department and turning those extra chances into 12 second-chance points.
This victory brings Newberry’s overall record to 6-6, with a South Atlantic Conference record sitting at 3-5. The Wolves will now take a short breather for the holidays before returning to the court on January 8th against Anderson. With the momentum they’ve built from these wins, fans are hopeful that the Wolves are just getting started in turning this season around!
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