Newberry, S.C. - The Newberry College men's basketball program (0-1) fell to the Braves of UNC Pembroke (1-0) by a final score of 85-76 on Friday. Despite the loss, true freshman Devario Sheppard proved to be a force, producing 24 points and 7 rebounds in 28 minutes off the bench.
The game would start off slow, with both teams feeling each other out as QuanDaveon McCollum opened the scoring with a layup. After the Braves pulled ahead to take a 19-11 lead, both defenses would dig in as both teams went scoreless for about three minutes of game time. That stretch would be broken by a layup from Sheppard, his first points of his collegiate career. With about five minutes left in the first half, Sheppard would throw down a dunk to hand Newberry the momentum it needed to go on a 12-4 run to end the half.
McCollum would once again get the scoring started for the Wolves in the second half. UNC Pembroke started to pull ahead again, but Sheppard hit back-to-back threes to keep the Wolves within striking distance. After the Braves continued to apply pressure, Marcus Ford would hit a deep three-pointer to bring back the momentum. At the 4:24 mark, TJ Brown was fouled going for a dunk that brought the crowd to its feet, before draining both free throws. Back-to-back layups from Brown with just over three minutes to play pulled the Wolves within six points, but the Braves were able to close out the game at the free throw line, breaking the hearts of the Wolves.
Sheppard led the way for the Wolves with his 24 points and 7 rebounds off the bench, shooting 8-11 from the field. Ford had 15 points while dishing out 3 assists. Meanwhile, Brown put up 14 points and 4 rebounds. McCollum and Malakhi Stremlow would each have solid showing on the glass with the pair having 6 and 8 rebounds, respectively, while each having 5 points. Bedford had 8 points while Jalen Johnson had 3 and Tai Giger had 2 to round out the scoring column.
The Wolves will look to rebound on Saturday as they take on the Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls in Eleazer Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
