DOVER, Del. – Paul Reynolds scored a game-high 28 points to lead the Wesley College men's basketball team to a 73-66 victory over Salisbury University in a Capital Athletic Conference Semifinal on Thursday night at Wentworth Gymnasium. The Wolverines (20-6) advance to the CAC Championship Game for the fourth time in the last five years where they will play at St. Mary's on Saturday, February 23, at 4 pm.
The Wolverines, who's 20 victories is a program-record, shot a blistering 54.2% from the field and held Salisbury (19-8) to 42.6% shooting. Unlike the last time the two rivals played, Wesley outrebounded the Sea Gulls, 35-26, and went to the free throw line more often. The Navy & White made 16-of-21 shots from the stripe (76.2%) compared to 10-of-16 (62.5%) for Salisbury.
Playing in what might have been his final game at Wentworth Gymnasium, Reynolds made 10-of-14 from the field and 8-of-9 from the line while pulling down ten rebounds and dishing out four assists. In the process, he broke the school-record for free throws made in a career (412). The existing mark was held by Larry Bryant (1999-03).
Reynolds also got plenty of help from his teammates as David Langan scored 19 points and added a game-high 14 rebounds and four blocks. The junior from Sayreville, N.J., had 14 points and 13 rebounds in just the second half. Wayne Lennon and Brandin Youngblood also came up big on both sides of the ball. Lennon provided 11 points and five rebounds while making all three of his shots from behind-the arc while Youngblood contributed nine points and solid defense.
Salisbury made the opening bucket with a trey from Elijah Gore, but Reynolds and Lennon scored the game's next nine points to give Wesley the lead. The Gulls clawed right back to retake the lead and the advantage changed hands several times over the next few minutes. After a bucket by Luke Ruland tied the score at 27 with 4:26 left in the first, the Wolverines scored the next five and went into the break with a 39-34 lead.
Wesley scored the first five points of the second half and extended the lead to as many as 14 at 61-47 with 8:42 remaining on a three from Anthony Bowers, his only bucket of the night. But, once again the Gulls would not go down without a fight and cut the lead to a single possession after a pull-up three by Travon Vann with 22 seconds left.
The Maroon & Gold immediately fouled Reynolds on the inbounds pass and the Smyrna High product sunk both shots. Salisbury had a three pointer blocked by Langan on the ensuing possession and Youngblood converted on both charity shots to seal the victory.
Travon Vann finished with 24 points to lead Salisbury while Gore and Tim Harwood combined for 25 points.