NEWBERRY – The Newberry Wolves (9-13) rode a strong second half to an 85-63 blowout victory over the visiting Piedmont International Bruins (9-15) at Eleazer Arena, their second victory in three days.
 
After a Sikander Nielsen jumper got things started, the Bruins reeled off five quick points to take a 5-2 lead with 18:48 remaining in the first half. Less than two minutes later, the Wolves reclaimed a lead that they would never give back.
 
The Wolves maintained their lead throughout the first half, but the Bruins were able to hold tight and thanks to Tamir Glenn's 10 points, head for the halftime break trailing by just five points.
 
After a slow first half on the offensive end for the Wolves, the halftime break proved to be the catalyst for a major change. Newberry erupted for 49 second half points with Angelo Sales Jr. and Omari Wilson combining to take the brunt of the offensive workload.
 
In the second half, the pair combined to score 24 points on 8-12 shooting, scoring 12 points each. The Wolves defensive effort forced the Bruins to search all over the floor for scoring, with no single player scoring more than five points after halftime.
 
When the final horn sounded, Newberry had taken complete control of the game and finished with a 22-point blowout win over Piedmont International, their second double-digit victory over the Bruins this season.
 
Sales Jr. led the way for the Wolves with 23 points on 9-13 shooting while pulling down six rebounds, also a team-high.
 
Wilson had an impressive night from the floor, finishing with 19 points, which tied for his career-high. He was a scorching 7-9 from the field, as well as 2-3 from long range.
 
The Wolves outrebounded the Bruins by a margin of 40-36, but it was their effort on the defensive end that proved final to establishing a dominant lead. Newberry was able to force 20 turnovers by the Bruins, leading to 19 points.
 
Newberry was also able to find a way to win while deviating from its normal offensive tendencies. The Wolves connecting on a modest five three-pointers in the game while dominating inside, outscoring the Bruins in the paint by a margin of 54-20.
 
The win is Newberry's second in a row after their big win over Lenoir-Rhyne on Wednesday, and the Wolves will have a short break before hitting the road for a conference matchup with the No. 10 Queens Royals in Charlotte, N.C. In their first matchup this season, the Wolves nearly pulled off the upset, ultimately falling to the Royals at home by a score of 96-94.