Haines/Reid Lead Second Half Outburst in Win Over Glenville State
Wheeling, W. Va. – After scoring 52 points in the second half of their game against The University of Charleston, the Wheeling University Men's Basketball team (4-9, 3-5) was looking to bring some of that momentum into their game against Glenville State on Wednesday. SeniorsJarett HainesandJordan Reidensured that the momentum continued, and led the way in the Cardinals 92-83 win.
However, early on it was a back and forth battle with each team trading buckets. The Cardinals found themselves on the losing end coming out of halftime as they trailed 46-37. Right from the start of the half, you could tell the tides we're turning when seniorJay Gentrygot the offense going with a three-pointer that made it 46-40. Gentry would add another bucket, and totaled four points as part of an 11-4 run that brought Wheeling to within two points with 17 minutes to play. The Cardinals didn't waste much more time taking the lead, needing just three more minutes to overtake the Pioneers it was a layup by Reid that made it 56-55 Wheeling with 14:15 to play. That was a lead that Reid wanted to ensure would stay in his team's favor as he scored six points as part of an 8-0 run that saw Wheeking extend their lead to 62-58.
Wheeling would never surrender that lead for the rest of the game, as it was a half to remember for both Reid and fellow seniorJarett Haines. They scored 20 and 10 points respectively in the second half, as Wheeling bested their season-high scoring total for a single half. The team scored 55 second-half points, marking the third time this season that the team has put up 50+ points in a half, two of those coming in the last two games. While Reid sparked the comeback, Haines solidified it scoring six of his 10 second-half points over the final 19 minutes of play. Once Wheeling built their lead to 89-78 with a minute to go, the Cardinals got a chance to empty their bench. Free throws by freshmanZion Suddethand seniorDJ Jenkinsended the night and brought the game to its 92-83 final.
Early on, Wheeling was going bucket for bucket with Glenville State, but neither team was able to find their groove and pull away. After Haines hit a three to start the game, the teams fought to a 5-5 deadlock over the first minute and a half of the game. Glenville State would then rattle off the best run of the first half, 9-6, and held a 14-10 advantage nearly six minutes into the game. It was a lead they maintained for the rest of the half, but Wheeling continued to hang around. The Cardinals never trailed by more than 10 points at any point in the first half and were able to stick around. They trailed 28-18 with 10 minutes left in the first and started to fight their way back in the game.
Greenville State our together one more run, pushing their lead to 35-23 with seven minutes left in the first half. It was do or die time for the Cardinals, and they found their groove. Haines and juniorJohn Kortehelped Wheeling to go on a 13-11 run over those final seven minutes to send them into the locker room trailing 46-37. Wheeling was taking their shots in that first half, but unfortunately, they weren't falling. The Cardinals shot 40% from the floor in the first half and needed to start hitting shots. That is what they would do in the second half, shooting 60% from the floor, and that was a key factor to them not only getting back into the game but winning it.
When all was said and done, I was Reid and Haines leading the way with 27 and 24 points respectively. For Reid, he secured a double-double, with 10 rebounds to go along with his 27- points, and continues to climb the all-time scoring list. He is now 40thall-time with 1,052 career points, surpassing former Cardinal Trey McDonald (1,051). For Haines, his journey to 1,000-points is coming to a close, as he now sits 53 points away from the milestone. In total, Wheeling had five players in double-digits withTre Massey(10),John Korte(10), andJay Gentry(10) all hitting the mark. Wheeling is showing the ability to score a lot of points, and they hope to carry that with them the rest of the way.
The Wheeling University Men's Basketball team is back in action on Saturday, January 8th, when they head on the road to face Concord at 4 PM.