The Wabash Valley basketball teams played host Saturday night to Southwestern Illinois College.
In the men’s game it came down to the final five seconds to come up with a winner. With the game tied Brandon Fitzjerrells ended the game on a half court shot at the buzzer to give SWIC the win 99 to 96. SWIC would lead most of the game and that came from three point shooting and hitting seven of eight free throws. The Warriors were down 12 at half time 49 to 37 and trailed most of the second half. In the last five minutes of the game the Warriors got hot and behind the aggressive play of Tyressee Williford and the three points shooting of Jalen Newsome the Warriors would pull to within one on a basket by Anthony Christian 94 to 93. Then Javonte Hill an All American last year would step to the line and calmly hit two free throws for a three point lead. With 5.2 seconds left to play Newsome would hit a three pointer to tie the game. After a couple of time outs SWIC came and got the ball in the hands of Fritzjerrells for his shot from mid court. He was the top scorer with 24 points and 7 of 12 from behind the arc. Javonte Perkins had 23 and Hill had 22. WVC had six players in double figures with Williford at 20 points, Marcus Garret had 14, and three players had 12 Austin Trice and 10 rebounds and off the bench Cam Gross and Jalen Newsom. Josh Thomas would add 11 points.
SWIC is now 7-1 and 3-1 in the GRAC while WVC falls to 4-4 and 1-2 in conference play. The Warriors are in St. Louis Sunday afternoon to take on a very good Moberly Greyhound team coached by former WVC head coach Pat Smith.
The Lady Warriors picked up win number eight downing SEIC 94 to 57. It was over early as WVC jumped out to a 30 to 12 advantage after the first quarter. Coach Luke Scheidecker played 10 players and they all scored. Two players off the bench would end up being leading scorers. Alexis Thomas had 13 points and Tramauryia Hunter had had 12. Two starters were in double figures Ashley Moore had 12 points and McKenzy Telfair had 10 points. The Lady Warriors are now 8-1 and 3-1 in the Great Rivers Athletic Conference while SWIC falls to 2-4 and 1-1 in the GRAC.
