NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Wesley College shot 51 percent from the floor and 84 percent from the free throw line as the Wolverines dispatched Bridgewater State 88-78 in the semifinals of the Holiday Inn Captains Shootout at Christopher Newport.
Wesley (5-4) led by as many as 10 in the first half, but a 12-4 run by the Bears (4-4) to close the half tied the score at 39-39.
The second half featured eight ties and lead changes with the last coming on a lay up by Bridgewater State's Shawn Yard with 9:21 to go that knotted the score at 56-56. A pair of free throws by Darrell Johnson (New Castle, Del./Howard) on the Wolverines' next trip down the floor started an 18-6 Wesley run that took control of the game.
The Bears pulled to within seven, 80-73, but Wesley hit 8-of-10 free throws in the final two minutes to seal the win.
Rudy Thomas (Milton, Del./Sussex Tech) and Kevin Johnson (Smyrna, Del./Smyrna), who combined for 12 of Wesley's 18 points in the team's game changing run, paced the offense with season highs. Thomas netted 21 points on 8-of-16 shooting and grabbed six rebounds. Johnson, meanwhile, knocked down 6-of-7 field goals for 18 points.
Chris Douglas (Landover, Md./Jericho Prep Academy) scored 15 points on 5-of-10 from the floor and added five assists and three steals on the night. Paul Reynolds (Smyrna, Del./Smyrna) sank 6-of-7 field goals on his way to 14 points and led the team with eight boards.
Judah Jackson led the Bears with 21 points, while Nicholas Motta ended his night with 20. Samuel Johnson scored 15 points and led the team with nine rebounds, matching Jackson's team best with a pair of blocked shots.
Bridgewater State dished out 21 assists on 32 field goals in the game, but Wesley took control of the game by limiting the Bears to just 41 percent shooting in the second half.
Wesley, meanwhile, hit 54 percent in the final 20 minutes finish the game at 29-of-57. The Wolverines also sank 21-of-25 free throws in the second half and ended the day 26-of-31.
With the win, Wesley will play the winner of the Christopher Newport/Frostburg State match up in the other semifinal on December 29 at 7:30 PM.