GREENVILLE, Tenn. — The Newberry men’s basketball team withstood a late rally by Tusculum for a 99-88 victory Saturday afternoon at Pioneer Arena. The Wolves posted six players in double-figures led by Mason Spease’s 18 points.

Spease led the way with 6-for-10 shooting on the afternoon. James Stepp and Gerald Evans scored 15 points apiece. D.J. Copeland (12), Xavier Hill (11) and Marshall Lange (10) also finished in double-figures for Newberry. Hill collected a game-high seven rebounds and Evans dished out five assists.

Neither team could gain much separation early. Newberry (16-10, 11-9 SAC) used an 18-2 run to break open the game over Tusculum (11-15, 8-12 SAC) and grab a 35-18 lead with 7:32 remaining in the first half. The Wolves led 46-33 at halftime. Both teams were red-hot from the floor, shooting at least 50.0 percent in the first half.

The Wolves opened the second half on a 5-0 spurt, sparked by Copeland’s three-point play. Newberry slowly amassed its lead over the Pioneers. Sparked by a 12-2 run, Newberry posted its largest lead of the game at 76-46 with 11:51 remaining.

Tusculum would not go away quietly, using an 18-8 run to cut Newberry’s lead to 84-64. The Pioneers pulled within seven points with just 1:23 left to play, but Newberry hit its free-throws for the final margin of 99-88.

Newberry finished the game shooting 52.9 percent (36-for-68) from the floor, its best percentage of the season. The Wolves shot 80 percent (15-for-20) from the free-throw line in the second half. Tusculum was just 30.4 percent (7-for-23) from three.

Newberry out-rebounded Tusculum, 37-32. This marks the Wolves’ second-straight game out-rebounding its opponent.

Cory Fagan scored a game-high 21 points for Tusculum on 7-for-10 shooting.

Newberry will travel to Coker (8-18, 5-15 SAC) for its final regular season road game of the season. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. The Wolves bested the Cobras 113-68 on Jan. 11.

Spease
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_Spease.jpgSpease

Staff Report