WHEELING, W.Va. - The Glenville State Men's Basketball team erased an early deficit, took a second-half lead, and had multiple opportunities in the closing seconds, but Wheeling capitalized from beyond the arc and at the free throw line to secure a 90–87 Mountain East Conference victory Saturday (Feb. 21) afternoon inside the McDonough Center. The Pioneers (16–10, 10–8 MEC) fought back from an 11-point first-half hole and led midway through the second half. However, Wheeling (17–8, 12–6 MEC) knocked down 14 three-pointers and went 16-for-20 from the free throw line, including key makes in the final minute, to hold off Glenville's late push.
1st Half
Wheeling established early rhythm from deep, with Caleb Murray connecting on multiple three-pointers to help build an 8-0 lead in the opening minutes. The Cardinals stretched the margin to double digits midway through the half behind perimeter shooting and efficient ball movement. Glenville responded through transition and interior scoring. Ammar Maxwell finished in the open floor and Prince Mosengo controlled the paint, while Don Colon-Lewis began to find range from outside. Despite shooting 45.7 percent from the field in the half, the Pioneers struggled from three (3-of-11) and trailed 50-44 at the break after Wheeling connected on seven first-half triples.
2nd Half
Glenville opened the half with urgency. Colon-Lewis drilled back-to-back three-pointers in the first two minutes, and Mosengo converted two free throws to tie the game at 52-52. From there, the contest turned into a back-and-forth exchange. Jalen Knott hit a three to give Glenville a 55-54 advantage, but Murray answered moments later from deep. The teams traded perimeter shots throughout the middle stretch of the half as neither side could create separation.
Glenville's persistence paid off at the 7:14 mark when Colon-Lewis tipped in a miss to give the Pioneers a 76-75 lead. Maxwell tied the game again at 78-78 with a fast-break finish, and Corey Boulden buried a transition three to even the score at 81-81 with just over four minutes remaining. Wheeling responded with the game's biggest shots. Murray knocked down a clutch three with 3:12 remaining to push the Cardinals back in front, and Ayden Goll controlled the closing possessions. Goll converted four free throws in the final three minutes and finished 10-of-12 from the line. Knott hit a fast-break three with 1:16 remaining to cut the deficit to 88-87, and Glenville earned multiple chances in the final seconds. A late jumper from Colon-Lewis and two three-point attempts in the final possession did not fall, sealing the three-point loss.
Final Stats
Wheeling
- Ayden Goll – 32 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists (10-12 FT)
- Caleb Murray – 25 points (7-14 3PT)
- Tee Harris – 17 points
Glenville State
Up Next For The Pioneers
The Pioneers host Charleston on Wednesday (Feb. 25) inside the Waco Center. Tip is slated for 7:30 p.m.
