Wells Cagers Knocked Off By Waynesburg, 83-66

WAYNESBURG, Pa. – Senior captain Al Paul (Elmont, N.Y.) led all players from both teams in point scoring, but the Wells College men's basketball team was saddled with an 83-66 non-conference loss to the Yellow Jackets of Waynesburg University Saturday afternoon at the Rudy Marisa Fieldhouse. The loss drops Wells to 1-5 overall on the year while the Yellow Jackets boost their season record to 4-2.

Paul racked up 15 points for the Express and also chipped in a team-leading seven rebounds. Freshman Jordan Jean (Englewood, N.Y.) was a spark off the bench for Wells, securing 11 points in only 15 minutes of action for the Express. Five different players recorded three-point baskets for Wells as the team collectively shot 5-for-19 from three-point range.

The Express captured their final lead with only 4:34 elapsed in the contest, using a Tyrese Campbell (Staten Island, N.Y.) layup to take a 9-7 lead in the game's early stages. Campbell would later tie the game, 11-11, with 13:34 remaining in the first stanza, but the Wells defense would allow the hosts to score 19 of the game's next 20 points. Senior Jonathan Bonds (Chicago, Ill.) had Wells lone point, a foul shot conversion, during that stretch.

Waynesburg, who led by as much as 20 points with 6:03 remaining in the first, allowed Wells back into the game near the opening stages of the second half. Trailing by 11 following a Thomas Ellis three-point basket, the Express utilized a Jean layup and a three-point basket by Shakeel Simmons (Brentwood, N.Y.) within only 20 seconds to cut the deficit to six. Waynesburg, however, countered with a 6-0 run to silence the Express for good.

The Yellow Jackets dominated the paint, scoring 36 total points in the lane opposing the 18 paint points by the Express. Casey Hope led the way for the hosts, burying all 10 foul shots to score 14 total points. Three other players racked up 10 points for Waynesburg, including Jason Propst, Ellis and B.J. Durham. On the afternoon, Waynesburg was 27-of-54 from the floor, converting 50% of their field goal opportunities.

The Express return to action this Wednesday, Dec. 4 as they face-off against the Storm of Keuka College at 6:00 p.m. on the road.