by Don Mooney. 11-28-2022
For the first time in the Bonzi Wells era, the LeMoyne-Owen men basketball team took down Benedict College.
It was Benedict College who ended the year for the Magicians last season in the SIAC Tournament quarterfinals. The Tigers won the game by double figures winning 83-67. “This was a game we’ve had circled on our calendars since last season, we took it personal”, said senior guard Andrew Anderson.
The Magicians would face a 31-36 halftime deficit, in a game that would go back and forth throughout the night. About midway through the the second half the Magicians would trail by as many as 8 points.They wouldn’t regain the lead again until freshman Sam Ibeh connected on a corner three pointer giving the Magicians a 81-79 lead with 22 seconds remaining.”With Gjerard being our leading scorer I knew they were going to collapse on him on the drive, so I just spaced out and got ready to shoot”, Ibeh said.
The Magicians would secures a 82-79 victory with two defensive stops and a made throw in the final seconds of game. They are now 6-1 overall and 2-0 in conference play.
The team was scorching hot all night shooting %51 from the field and %47 percent from the three point line. The Magicians finished the game with 20 assist and had four players in double figures. Senior Andrew Anderson led all scorers with 22 points while Gjerard Wilson added 18 points, the two combined for 40 on 12-24 shooting. Also in double figures for the Magician was Brandon Mason (15) and Micah Evans (14).
Next up, the Magicians will host Fisk University Wednesday night at Bruce-Johnson Hall. The game is scheduled for 7:30pm