Men's Basketball bounces back in second half

NEW ORLEANS - Wiley University men's basketball player Delor Johnson scored 28 points and Demarius Pitts followed with 20 as the Wildcats overcame a double-digit first-half deficit in a 73-62 victory over Southern University at New Orleans Saturday at the Castle.

The Wildcats (6-4, 2-0 GCAC) open conference play with consecutive wins for the first time since 2016-17. They improved to 3-3 on the road. Johnson recorded his eighth game with over 20 points. He shot 11-for-17 from the field and contributed seven rebounds and four assists. Pitts tallied 20 or more points for the third time this season. He hit on six of 13 shot attempts.

Chukwuemeke Nwaoshai posted eight points, nine rebounds and three blocks. Jalen Bates posted six points, seven rebounds and three assists.

Wiley only made four shots in the first 12 minutes of the game. They trailed by as many as 14. Bates made a jumper and Johnson hit a 3-pointer to cut the margin to seven. The Wildcats trailed 32-26 at halftime.

With 17:33 left in the second half and trailing 36-31, Johnson hit a jumper and was fouled. He converted the traditional 3-point play at the free throw line to cut the margin to three. Devon Barshow tied the game with a jumper. Johnson put Wiley in front with a jumper. Southern-New Orleans retook the lead on a jump shot with 14:22 remaining.

The lead switched hands a couple of times. A jumper by Bates gave Wiley the lead for good with 13:03 left. Johnson hit a jumper and one and Christian Beeke made a jumper to increase the lead to six. The Knights pulled within three.

Pitts hit a jumper and one. A jump shot by Nwaoshai gave the Wildcats a 60-50 lead with 6:55 left. They outshot the Knights 49.1 to 41.5 percent. Wiley outrebounded Southern-New Orleans 41-28.

The Wildcats will resume GCAC play at Fisk University on Thursday.