Box Score Cheyney improved to 3-2 with a 68-66 victory over the University of the Science (3-7). The Wolves welcomed back Jason Sabb and Rashaad Slappy who had missed the last couple of games due to disciplinary reasons. But it was the play of freshman Brandon Norfleet, the reigning PSAC East Freshman of the Week, who paced Cheyney with 17 points. Team mate Deshawn Curtis added 16 points and Sabb and Slappy tallied 12 apiece. Slappy also had a game high 10 rebounds.
Garret Kerr led the Devils with 25 points and 10 rebounds. Tyrone Mann-Barnes added 18 points.
The first half was a back and forth affair that featured six lead changes and five ties. The Wolves owned the biggest lead of the first half, five point and after twenty minutes the game was tied at 31.
With six minutes and change remaining the Devils owned a six point advantage (59-53). However Cheyney battled back with a 9-2 run to take a 62-61 lead with 3:51 to play. Two minutes later after a pair of free throws by USciences, the Wolves found themselves down one, 63-62. But a jumper and three-pointer by Norfleet with 52 seconds showing gave the Wolves a four point lead. Henry Messinger netted a three pointer with 29 seconds left to cut the lead down to one. But Sabb converted 1 – 2 free throws to preserve the victory. Cheyney outscored USciences 15-7 the final six minutes.
USciences has their chances in the closing seconds. With seven seconds remaining the Devils were shooting free throws. However both attempts were missed and the ball went out of bounds and belonged to the Devils. Their attempt at the buzzer was off the mark.
"This was the first game were we had our full complement of players since the opener," commented Coach Dominique Stephens. "Sabb and Slappy showed a little rust but they are our go to guys. Brandon had to step up when those guys were out. He has done a great job in their absence. I'm sure it will continue."
Things don't get any easier for the Wolves. On Saturday, Cheyney will host defending PSAC East Champion East Stroudsburg at 3:00 pm in Cope Hall. On Sunday the Wolves will play their fifth game in nine days as they host the Battle of the First against arch rival Lincoln at 6:30 pm.