LANDOVER, Md. - The Edinboro wheelchair basketball team dropped a trio of contests to open 9th Annual Capital Wheelchair Basketball Invitational at the Kentland Community Center. The Fighting Scots opened the day falling to Medstar NRH, 70-49, and Toronto D1, 57-42, before nearly rallying from a 15-point deficit in a 55-47 loss to Shepherd. The Fighting Scots, now 9-5 on the season, rounds out tournament play on Sunday at 11:00 a.m.
Game 1: MEDSTAR NRH 70, EDINBORO 49
The Fighting Scots started the morning off against four Fighting Scot alumni - Bryce Doody, Andrew Grossman, Mike Looney, and Olympian Trey Jennifer. Edinboro kept the first quarter close, only trailing 12-10 after 10 minutes. A Jacob Spillers 3-pointer with 1:35 left until halftime trimmed an eight point second quarter deficit to two points at 26-24. But the Punisher's responded with a 17-0 run between the end of the second and start of the third quarter and never looked back.
Three Fighting Scots scored in double figures, led by senior Kevin Atherley, who notched his fifth double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds. He also had five assists. Chayse Wolf led the Scots in scoring, as he shot 7-of-14 from the floor for 15 points. The junior also grabbed five boards and dished out five dimes. Freshman Jacob Spillers contributed 12 points off the bench. He drilled a pair of 3-pointers and went 2-for-2 on his free throws.
Edinboro shot 38.5 percent (20-of-52) from the floor, 3-of-9 on 3-pointers and made 6-of-15 free throws. NHR converted 51.7 percent (31-of-60) of their baskets, went 2-for-9 from behind the arc, and shot 6-of-9 at the charity stripe. NRH edged Edinboro on the glass, 30-29
Game 2: TORONTO D1 57, EDINBORO 42
Edinboro once again got off to a strong start in the first quarter, shooting 66.7 percent (6-of-9) from the floor and led 13-12. The Fighting Scots led by no more than three points in the contest. After a Jacob Spillers layup gave Edinboro a 19-16 lead with 3:00 left in the second quarter, Toronto went on an 11-2 run and The Fighting Scots trailed 27-21 at the half. Seamus McNally trimmed the deficit to five at 37-32 late in the third quarter, but that's as close as the Scots came the rest of the way.
Edinboro shot a 45.0 percent clip (18-of-40) went 0-3 on 3-pointers, and made 6-of-12 free throws against Toronto. The Raptors shot 45.6 percent from the floor, connected on 1-of-3 3-pointers and shot 4-for-11 at the line. Toronto outrebounded Edinboro, 34-21, but the Fighting Scots held a 15-14 advantage in assists. Both teams recorded six steals apiece.
Cor'Rales Dupree tied his career-high of 14 points, as he shot a perfect 7-for-7 from the floor. The sophomore also had a career-high three steals. Chayse Wolf also had a career-day, as the junior dished out a career-best 12 assists. Will Speed collected a team-best six rebounds.
Game 3: SHEPHERD 55, EDINBORO 47
Edinboro's comeback bid fell short, as the Fighting Scots nearly came back from a 15-point third quarter deficit in a 55-47 loss to Shepherd. After heading into the fourth quarter down 42-33, the Fighting Scots were held scoreless for nearly four minutes, yet held the Stealers to two points in that span. Cor'Rales Dupree's layup at 6:19 cut the deficit to single digits at 44-35, and would be the start an 11-1 Edinboro run. Will Speed drained a 3-pointer, Jacob Spillers converted a traditional three-point play and Kevin Atherley's jumper put the Edinboro within three points at 46-43. Both teams would exchange baskets over the final 4:41.
The Fighting Scots ended the day shooting 40.0 percent (22-of-55), making 2-of-6 3-pointers, and shooting 1-for-3 on free throws. Shepherd shot 48.1 percent (25-of-52) from the floor, but was held to 0-for-3 from behind the arc, and 5-for-8 at the charity stripe. The Stealers edged Edinboro in the battle on the boards, 27-25. Edinboro held an 18-14 advantage in assists and committed five turnovers to Shepherd's eight.
Atherley led the Fighting Scots with 14 points on 7-of-14 shooting, grabbed six rebounds, and dished out five assists. Chayse Wolf flirted with a triple-double, adding nine points, seven boards and seven dimes. Spillers tacked on nine points in 22 minutes off the bench.
