NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Marion Moore had a game-high 28 points but The Apprentice School men's basketball team came up short 89-82 to Johnson & Wales on Wednesday night.
ON THE COURT: The matchup featured both teams who were undefeated in conference play and were looking to snap respective losing streaks. The Builders kept the Wildcats in check early in the first half and held a nine-point lead past the halfway mark of the first stanza. The Wildcats eventually tied it at 24 apiece before ending the half on a 10-4 run to take a 34-28 lead at the break. Marion Moore had 14 points in the half on 6-for-7 shooting from the floor. The Builders shot 40% from the floor but had 13 turnovers. Both teams found their offensive groove in the second half with both shooting close to 50% from the field. The Wildcats kept the Builders at bay for the majority of the half grabbing its largest lead of 12 points with 3:56 remaining in the game. The Builders held the Wildcats scoreless over the next two minutes and used three free-throws by Drew Walton, a layup by Marion Moore, a three-pointer by Bryant Fuller and a pair of free-throws by Corey Joyner to bring the Builders within two. Johnson & Wales snapped the drought with a three-pointer and a pair of free throws to go ahead by seven and keep the Builders at the bay the rest of the way.
BEHIND THE BOX SCORE:
- Marion Moore posted his eighth straight double-digit scoring game with a game-high 28 points. The game marked the 11th time he has scored in double-digits and the eighth time scoring 20+ points.
- Corey Joyner added a rare double-double with 12 points and ten assists. He fell shy of a triple-double as he added six rebounds.
- Drew Walton posted his ninth double-double of the season with 16 points and 14 rebounds.
- Brandon Joyner came off the bench and added 13 points.
- The Builders won the battle on the boards with a 44-36 advantage but turned the ball over 23 times, which led to 28 points for the Wildcats.
- The Wildcats relied on the three-point game, draining 12 out of 32 opportunities.
- Robert Hobson led the Wildcats with 24 points.
UP THE NEXT: The Builders will break for the holidays and return to action as they continue their seven game homestand with weekend matchups against Villa Maria and Clinton College over the first weekend of January. The Builders look to avenge an early season loss to Villa Maria on Friday, January 4th at 7 p.m. Villa Maria took an 83-58 victory as part of the Don Glick Classic. The Apprentice School will then face Clinton College in a conference matchup on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m.