Pikeville, Ky. – Shawnee State men's basketball saw their season end on Friday morning, falling to top seed Pikeville 92-89 in the first round of the Mid-South Conference Tournament at the East Kentucky Expo Center.
The first half featured a strong showing from seniors Matt Rhodes (SR/Westerville, Ohio) and Frederick Moore (SR/Cincinnati, Ohio). Moore opened the scoring for Shawnee State with a jump-hook in the post. University of Pikeville would go on to claim the lead and stretch it threatening to run away with the game early, going on a seven-point run and taking a 37-27 lead with around eleven minutes remaining in the half, however Shawnee State was able to cut the deficit heading into the break trailing by a score of 51-48.
The story of the first half was Matt Rhodes who shot an incredible seven-of-seven from the field, five of those shots coming on three pointers. Rhodes finished the first half with 19 points. Frederick Moore was also responsible for keeping SSU in the game scoring 17 points in the first half.
Shawnee State came out of the half with energy not only tying the game but taking the lead. With 13:25 remaining in the second half Jayllen Carter (SR/Portsmouth, Ohio) hit a game tying three followed by a Frederick Moore triple from the top of the arc giving Shawnee State a 64-61 lead. With 11 minutes remaining in the game Freshman of the Year EJ Onu (FR/Cleveland, Ohio) hit a three-pointer followed by a Jayllen Carter lay-up to give Shawnee State a ten-point lead, their largest of the game 73-63.
Turnovers would prove to cost SSU as four straight offensive possessions led to Pikeville taking a 82-81 lead on a Jordan Perry corner three. Shawnee State would try and battle back and on an incredible shot from Frederick Moore who with two defenders draped over him was able to release a three and cut the deficit to 90-87 with 22 seconds remaining. Bryan Rolfe (SO/Lucasville, Ohio) stole the inbounds pass and Matt Rhodes took a wide open three that just missed the mark. Moore was able to fight for the rebound and was fouled. After making both shot SSU was down by one point with sixteen seconds remaining but they were unable to get a final stop and fell by a final score of 92-89.
Frederick Moore scored a game-high 25 points to lead Shawnee State, while also grabbing 13 rebounds. Matt Rhodes scored 24, Jayllen Carter had 19 and EJ Onu added 14 and six blocks.
Jayvian Delacruz had 18 points to lead Pikeville. Jordan Perry added 17, Darrion Leslie had 16, Rodney Hawkins had 15 and Rze Culbreath added 13.
The loss sees Shawnee State end the 2017-18 season at 14-17. Pikeville improves to 28-3 and moves on to the semifinals of the Mid-South Conference Tournament.
For continued coverage of Shawnee State men's basketball, go to ssubears.com.
