Wesley Falls at Red Hot York

YORK, Pa. - York (Pa.) shot 83 percent from the floor in the second half to hold off Wesley College 97-86 in Capital Athletic Conference play.

Wesley (4-4, 1-2 CAC) trailed by 10 at the half, but fought its way back into the contest. Dylan Hoffman gave the Spartans (9-1, 3-0 CAC) a 14-point lead with 15:50 to play, but Wesley trailed just 64-63 after a three by Kevin Johnson (Smyrna, Del./Smyrna) capped an 18-3 run for the Wolverines.

A layin by Johnson tied the game at 72-72 with 7:27 to play, but York answered back with a bucket by Kevin Whaley. Two free throws by Alphonzo Wright (Dover, Del./Polytech) tied the score at 74 with 6:20 to play. Jeremy Skoloda's field goal 15 seconds later snatched the lead back for York for good as the Spartans hit six of their final eight from the floor and their final nine free throws of the evening.

By hitting 19-of-23 field goals in the second half, York finished at 68 percent for the game. The Spartans also hit 7-of-12 threes (58 percent) and 18-of-21 free throws (86 percent).

Ball control, pressure defense and equally accurate free throw shooting allowed the Wolverines to stay in the game. Wesley committed just 11 turnovers on the night, while forcing York into 25, 17 by way of steals by Wolverine defense. The team also sank 23-of-29 foul shots (79 percent).

Both squads had five players in double figures. Johnson and Rudy Thomas (Milton, Del./Sussex Tech) scored 15 apiece for the Wolverines. Johnson had a solid all-around game with five boards, three assists and four steals. Wright added 11 points, seven rebounds and five steals. Reserve Jacques Bowe (Millsboro, Del./Sussex Tech) continued his strong play with 14 points, six boards and five steals. Paul Reynolds (Smyrna, Del./Smyrna) was saddled with foul trouble, but managed 11 points on a perfect 5-of-5 from the field in just nine minutes of action.

Paul Kouvaris and Nick Brady led the way for York in the win. Kouvaris scored 26 points on 11-of-13 shooting and blocked three shots. Brady netted 25 points, fueled by a 5-of-8 effort from three point range. Whaley turned in a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Hoffman added a dozen points and Jeremy Keefer scored 10 points and dished out eight assists.

Wesley will look to rebound on December 18 with a road trip to Christopher Newport.

Notes:

Kevin Johnson topped the 500 career point mark in the game and now has 507 in his career.
Jacques Bowe already has career high season totals in points, rebounds, threes, and free throws.