The West Chester University men’s basketball team (11-12, 9-9 PSAC East) went 2-0 on the week, picking up wins over Cheyney (2-22, 2-17 PSAC) and East Stroudsburg (16-7, 14-4) Universities.
Malik Jackson scored 20 points and dished out eight assists against Cheyney.
Tyrell Long posted a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Zach Bare chipped in with another 17 points.
WCU edged Cheyney in second chance points (17-8) and points off turnovers (27-12). The Golden Rams coerced the Wolves into 17 TOs, and their ability to capitalize on those miscues tilted the game in their favor.
Cheyney remained in striking distance for the majority of the contest before West Chester made a late second-half push to secure their largest lead of the game at 14.
Jackson Hyland shouldered a major load for the Golden Rams in a come-from-behind home win over East Stroudsburg University on Saturday, as he registered a 27-point, 11-rebound, 6-assist performance. Twenty-two of Hyland’s 27 came in the second half.
West Chester used a huge second half surge to end up in the winner’s circle, closing the game on a 17-1 run to overcome a 19-point deficit.
Jackson punched in with a 27-point, 5-rebound, 5-assist outing, shooting 10-17 from the field and 5-11 from behind the arc. WCU’s double-digit scorers were rounded out by Bare, Dominic Guerrera and Tim Toro, who all scored 10 points.
WCU was eclipsed in most metrics by ESU, but they obliterated the Warriors in points in the paint, where the battle was won 48-26.
This week’s slate for the Golden Rams includes games against Shippensburg (21-2, 17-2) and Lock Haven (10-12, 6-12) Universities.
B.J. Boyer is a third-year student majoring in communication studies with a minor in journalism. He can be reached at WB806695@wcupa.edu.