Cheyney, PA - The visiting Newport News Apprentice School (Apprentice) used a 18-0 run midway through the second half to turn a one-point deficit into a 16-point lead and eventually defeat the host Cheyney Wolves 69-59 in men's basketball action inside Cope Hall on Saturday afternoon.

The Wolves (2-9) had forged ahead 47-45 on a three-point shot from freshman Rynell Bert, with 7:18 to play in the second half, but Cheyney could not secure a defensive rebound, and the Builders (5-5) capitalized with a three-pointer, on it fourth attempt of the possession, to regain the lead and start the run that would lead to victory, and season sweep of the Wolves.

Apprentice captured the first meeting, between the schools, 65-53 in Newport News, VA, on December 3, 2022.

Freshman Jalen Boyd-Savage led Cheyney with 16 points, taking advantage of an 80% performance 8-10 from the free-throw line, sophomore Kian Nixon grabbed a career-high 13 rebounds and scored ten points with a team-high three steals. Sophomore Nathan Pettus Jr scored a season-high 11 points and Bert finished with nine-points and four rebounds off the bench.

Cheyney jumped out to 6-0 lead on baskets form Nixon, Pettus Jr and freshman Dajer Muldrow, the
Builders responded with a 13-2 outburst to take a 13-8 lead. Buckets from Boyd-Savage and Muldrow brought Cheyney back to within a point of the lead with 11:03 left in the half.

The Cheyney deficit was a high as seven points 23-16, but the Wolves chipped away and made it a one-point contest again on two free-throws from Boyd-Savage and a Nixon jumper, the Builders ended the half on a buzzer beater by Shawn Eley, who led all scorers in the game with 18 points, to take a 30-27 edge at the half.

The wolves opened the second half with a basket from Nixon, a steal by Pettus Jr and a dunk by Muldrow, to regain the lead 31-30, and force a quick timeout from the Builders.

The game then see-sawed back and forth with several lead changes and ties, the Wolves took its biggest lead of three points 38-35 following a driving layup and free-throw by Boyd-Savage with 14:50 to play.

After falling behind by three 45-42, Pettus Jr made a layup and Bert connected from downtown and Cheyney once again led 47-45 at the 7:18 mark.

Unfortunately for the Wolves they would not score again until there was on 2 minutes and 24 seconds left on the clock and they were behind 63-45.

Cheyney is back in action on Monday night as they travel to Jersey City, NJ to face Alliance University (5-8, 0-3) out of the CACC. The tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM inside the John J. Moore Athletic and Fitness Center on the Campus of New Jersey City University.

You can Watch the game or follow along with Live-Stats, by clicking on the links.