MBB: DENYING THE DESPERATE

CU BLOCKS RIVAL'S BID FOR FIRST LEAGUE VICTORY

Romel Kemp Layup at BSC (JL)
There's a saying about arch-rivalries that's so old that it almost requires carbon dating: “You can throw out the records when these two teams play.”

Such was the case for Concord's men's basketball team on Saturday.  The Mountain Lions made the short trip to meet Mercer County rival Bluefield State, which was still seeking its first conference win of the season and stood in last place in the WVIAC.

CU went into the day in 7th place and in search of its tenth win of the campaign, but knew it would have to overcome an inspired effort from a desperate opponent.

The Mountain Lions took the Big Blues' best shot, and came away with a 91-77 victory at the Ned Shott Gymnasium in Bluefield, WV.

Bluefield State scored the game's first basket, but Concord responded with three-point shots from Javaughn Acree-Manuel, Cory Willard and Romel Kemp to go ahead 9-4 just 76 seconds after tipoff.  CU pushed its advantage to 24-8 after another Manuel three-pointer with 14:39 remaining before halftime, but saw the Big Blues pull within 33-30 ten minutes later.

Concord responded with a 12-2 rally, capped by a three-point shot by Corey Neeley, to go in front 45-32 with 2:15 to go and led 51-41 at the break.

The Big Blues scored the first four points after halftime to get within six points.  The Mountain Lions pulled ahead 59-48, but saw their lead trimmed to 61-55 with 13:00 remaining.
Corey Neeley Shot at BSC (JL)
Mike Boyd then sparked CU with a three-point play and a steal that Neeley converted into a layup for a 66-55 lead.

Bluefield State would close within six points at 75-69 before Concord pulled away for good with a 14-4 rally, capped by a layup by Neeley with 1:30 left, that made the score 89-73.

Concord shot an even .500 (30-60) from the field, including 10-22 (.455) from three-point range. 

Six Mountain Lions scored in double figures.  Kemp topped CU with 23 points and eight rebounds, while Neeley chipped in 15 points and six rebounds.
Boyd posted 13 points, Manuel 12, with Willard and Damien Tunstalle added ten apiece.

Chase Morgan led Bluefield State (1-14, 0-11) with 33 points.

CU and BSC will meet again on Saturday, February 25 in Athens.

Up next for Concord (10-7, 7-6) is a meeting with defending WVIAC champion West Liberty on Saturday, January 28 at the Carter Center.  Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 pm.

The game will be broadcast on WWNR (AM 620/101.1 FM) as part of a doubleheader with the CU women's team.  Links to Live Stats, Concord's streaming video and the audio webcast can be found at the top of the men's basketball homepage on www.cumountainlions.com.


(photos by Jennifer Logan)


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