Wyoming Breaks Away Late, Notches 55-46 Victory Over Centerville
CINCINNATI, OH — The penultimate game of the 4th Annual Beacon Holiday Hardwood Classic featured the Wyoming Cowboys keeping their undefeated season alive as they defeated Centerville 55-46.
Quarter one featured a back-and-forth battle between the two teams, with neither able to pull away. Wyoming began the game with momentum, going on a 7-2 scoring run with 5:46 remaining via baskets by Spencer Maxwell, Ty Rohrer, and Julian Sam. The Elks responded quickly, however, and managed to nearly level the score with a 5-0 run of their own. Still, the Cowboys took a slim 11-10 lead into the second frame.
Centerville went on a large scoring run to start the second quarter. Julian Sam totaled four points as the Elks outscored the Cowboys 9-1 to go up by seven at 19-12 with 5:21 left in the half. With 1:51 to go, Wyoming embarked on an 11-0 scoring run, reclaiming a 23-19 lead. Kellen Wiley contributed four points to the offensive ambush as the Cowboys took a 23-19 advantage to the locker room at halftime.
After a Wyoming score began the half, Centerville went on an 8-2 run, capped by a Spencer Maxwell three-pointer, to tie the game at 27 with 5:16 remaining. Wiley hit three more shots on the ensuing possessions to restore the Wyoming lead at 33-30, but Julian Sam drained a three at the buzzer to cut the Elks’ deficit to one at 34-33 entering the fourth quarter.
The teams traded blows in the fourth quarter, with each team hitting several shots in rapid succession. With 5:01 left in the game, Wyoming’s Kellen Wiley dunked to give the Cowboys a three-point advantage at 45-42. The score was the catalyst in an 8-0 run that put the game out of Centerville’s reach and allowed the Cowboys to stay undefeated with a 55-46 victory.
Freshman Julian Sam led the Elks with 17 points. Spencer Maxwell added 10 for Centerville, as well. For Wyoming, both Devin Evans and Darren Gray posted double-digit point totals with 10 and 11, respectively. The Cowboys got to the line often in the latter stages of the game and capitalized, shooting 9-for-13. Gray, Evans, and Wiley each made multiple shots from the foul line.
Looking ahead, still-unbeaten Wyoming (6-0, 4-0 CHL) will return home to face Chaminade Julienne on Saturday, January 3. After playing four of the last five games on the road, the Cowboys will host their next five games. Meanwhile, Centerville (4-2, 3-1 GWOC) will match up with Miamisburg in Greater Western Ohio Conference play on Tuesday, December 30.
