Shepherd scores enough to hold off Cavaliers
When a team scores 97 points, it usually gets contributions from a number of sources.
Shepherd was no different in its 97-92 conference win over undermanned UVa.-Wise.
Skyler Roman scored more than a fistful points early when he replaced Austin Cunningham. Gavin McTavish registered a career high 16 points. Steffen Davis was a quiet assassin with his 21 points and made 5-of-11 three-point attempts. Ryan McTavish had a yeoman-like 12 points and A.J. Carr did enough inside to get another eight points.
But Shepherd’s difference-maker on a night when it played with reduced emotions was senior Austin Cunningham, a wiry guard whose points seemed always to trump any second-half gain the visiting Cavaliers had found.
Cunningham scored 22 points and accepted the responsibility of keeping the Rams ahead after they held a 44-37 lead at the half.
Every time the Cavaliers nudged a little closer to the Shepherd lead, Cunningham scored on a long three-pointer, drove through thickets in the lane to score from in close or made his way to the foul line.
He was replaced when the Rams led, 83-65, but had to be brought back when the flinty visitors moved within catching distance and trailed by only five.
UVa-Wise dressed eight players.
Those eight players had achieved only two wins in their clouded season. But with Tyler Maggard (24 points), Brian Sydnor (23 points) and Matt Day (21 points) keeping them afloat the Cavaliers continuously nipped at Shepherd’s heels.
In the end, it was Shepherd’s ability to get high-percentage shots — and make 57.8 percent of its 64 field goal attempts — that bested the visitors from far southwest Virginia. The Rams also made 12-of-22 three-point attempts for a shimmering 57.8 percent on those tries.
The Cavaliers had more rebounds and fewer turnovers.
But they had fewer players . . . and Shepherd had six instead of three that made significant contributions to the win that moved it to a 14-13 overall record with but one regular season game left. Fairmont is at the Butcher Center on Saturday for a 4 p.m. Senior Day game against the Rams.
Cunningham led the parade. He had plenty of help from five others, but his forceful play would have made him the MVP if such an award had been given.
Shepherd scores enough to hold off Cavaliers
When a team scores 97 points, it usually gets contributions from a number of sources.
Shepherd was no different in its 97-92 conference win over undermanned UVa.-Wise.
Skyler Roman scored more than a fistful points early when he replaced Austin Cunningham. Gavin McTavish registered a career high 16 points. Steffen Davis was a quiet assassin with his 21 points and made 5-of-11 three-point attempts. Ryan McTavish had a yeoman-like 12 points and A.J. Carr did enough inside to get another eight points.
But Shepherd’s difference-maker on a night when it played with reduced emotions was senior Austin Cunningham, a wiry guard whose points seemed always to trump any second-half gain the visiting Cavaliers had found.
Cunningham scored 22 points and accepted the responsibility of keeping the Rams ahead after they held a 44-37 lead at the half.
Every time the Cavaliers nudged a little closer to the Shepherd lead, Cunningham scored on a long three-pointer, drove through thickets in the lane to score from in close or made his way to the foul line.
He was replaced when the Rams led, 83-65, but had to be brought back when the flinty visitors moved within catching distance and trailed by only five.
UVa-Wise dressed eight players.
Those eight players had achieved only two wins in their clouded season. But with Tyler Maggard (24 points), Brian Sydnor (23 points) and Matt Day (21 points) keeping them afloat the Cavaliers continuously nipped at Shepherd’s heels.
In the end, it was Shepherd’s ability to get high-percentage shots — and make 57.8 percent of its 64 field goal attempts — that bested the visitors from far southwest Virginia. The Rams also made 12-of-22 three-point attempts for a shimmering 57.8 percent on those tries.
The Cavaliers had more rebounds and fewer turnovers.
But they had fewer players . . . and Shepherd had six instead of three that made significant contributions to the win that moved it to a 14-13 overall record with but one regular season game left. Fairmont is at the Butcher Center on Saturday for a 4 p.m. Senior Day game against the Rams.
Cunningham led the parade. He had plenty of help from five others, but his forceful play would have made him the MVP if such an award had been given.
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