Box Score
CHEYNEY, Pa. – Lance McDowell made a triumphant return to West Chester’s lineup with 20 points and 10 rebounds as the visiting Golden Rams defeated host Cheyney, 79-49, in a PSAC men’s basketball victory over cross-county rival Cheyney inside Cope Hall Wednesday evening.
West Chester (9-8, 6-7 PSAC) extended its win streak on the season to three games while ending a personal six-game slide against Cheyney (2-11, 3-13). In the process, the Rams’ 30-point margin of victory was its largest in the all-time series against their cross-county rivals, and the Wolves’ 49-point output marked its lowest total in a game against West Chester. The Rams crawled over .500 on the season for the first time since Jan. 6.
The Golden Rams outscored the Wolves, 45-26, in the second half to pull away after halftime. West Chester led by as many as 35 points with 2:31 left in the contest. Nine different Rams etched their name in the scoring column.
McDowell, who had missed Saturday’s upset at home against Bloomsburg, did not start but poured in his game-high 20 points off the bench. He scored 12 of his 20 before halftime and was a stellar 10 of 11 from the foul line.
West Chester, which ranks sixth in the nation in free throw shooting, hit 80.8 percent of its foul shots Wednesday (21-for-26), getting to the line 26 times.
Carl Johnson put up double figures for the seventh consecutive game with 15 points on the night. Jon Breeden contributed 10.
The Golden Rams shot 54.2 percent (26-for-48) from the field.
West Chester continues its two-game road swing at East Stroudsburg on Saturday. Tip-off inside Koehler Fieldhouse is set for approximately 3 p.m. With Bloomsburg’s, 70-67, victory Wednesday at East Stroudsburg, Saturday’s tilt in Northeastern PA becomes a battle for third place as the 6-7 Golden Rams take on the 7-6 Warriors.
