Bazilio Leads Cards Past Golden Eagles

Charleston, WV, Jan. 16, 2010---Wheeling Jesuit men’s basketball team (8-4, 5-2) defeated the University of Charleston (6-5, 5-2) 80-78 on Saturday night  in a game which was tied ten times and showcased 12 lead changes. 

The Cardinals were led in scoring by freshman Brenden Bazilio with 17 points. He also added a career high eight steals with three of them coming in the final five minutes of the ballgame. Sophomores Obi Ukwuoma and Steve Catich each chipped in 16 points while freshman Andre Harris tallied 15 points.

Wheeling Jesuit was on the board first, opening the game with a 3-point bucket from sophomore Pete Brogdon. They rushed out to a seven point lead and controlled the scoring for the first 11 minutes of play.

Back-to-back buckets from UC’s James Eversley gave the Golden Eagles their first lead with nine minutes remaining in the first half.  Bazilio answered the Eagle attack to regain the lead, but the Cardinals quickly gave the advantage back to Charleston.  UC would push the lead to six and had a 46-40 lead at the break.

The Golden Eagles built the lead to ten during the first five minutes of the second frame. The Cardinals put together a 10-0 run with a couple of buckets by senior Greg Andrews, a Bazilio steal, and three scores from Harris. The game would be back-and-forth for the final 11 minutes, displaying eight ties and nine lead changes.

Ukwuoma gave the Cards a 78-76 lead with 2:31 left in regulation. Charleston’s Bahaadar Russell tied the game with 25 seconds remaining after a missed Cardinal layup and free throw attempts. Bazilio hit the game winner with six seconds remaining as he drove the lane and connected with a layup.

Wheeling Jesuit will be back in action on Monday, January 18th as they travel to No. 1 rival West Liberty University for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off.