Dawgs Have Late Collapse, Falls to Wiley
Fisk squanders big game by Jayden Lockett in heartbreak loss.
MARSHALL, Texas -- Jayden Lockett scored 27 points and grabbed 11 rebounds but it was not enough as the Fisk University Bulldogs (8-10, 5-4 GCAC) fell to the Wiley University Wildcats (9-10, 5-6 GCAC) 79-77 in a tough loss at Wiley. The Bulldogs had a five-point lead in the late stages, but Wiley went on a 7-0 run to close the game out.
"We have dropped four conference games this season, three of them were just like this," said Fisk Head Coach Kenny Anderson. "For some reason, we can't finish. Missed free throws and turnovers can't happen in the final minute if we want to win. They went 4 for 4 (from the free throw line) and we missed three. That was the difference in the game."
The Wildcats controlled the first half of the game, going up by as many as ten points before holding on and going to the locker room up eight. Anderson's halftime speech lit a fire under his Dawgs, as they came out scoring 15 of the first 19 points to take a 55-52 lead.
After that, the teams traded leads until, with the game tied at 66, Anderson took out Lockett and the team's leader scorer Tyon Thompson (15 points) and Wiley took advantage, going up 70-66. The two players returned and Fisk got going. With 1:32 left, Thompson hit a three-pointer on an assist from Lockett to give the Dawgs a 75-72 lead. A Blake Goodman layup on Lockett's eighth assist of the game made the score 77-72. Goodman was foul on the play but missed the free throw. Wiley's Devon Barshow hit two free throws to start a 7-0 run.
With 19 seconds left, Michael Ashley grabbed his 15th rebound off of a Goodman missed and was fouled. He missed both free throws to give Wiley life. Demarius Pitts' three-pointer tied the game with nine seconds left. A Lockett turnover on the ensuing possession forced Thompson to foul Tayvion Fisher who hit both free throws. Thompson then missed a three-point shot as time expired to give Wiley the win.
NEXT UP:
Fisk will try to look to avenge a home loss in December as they travel to Arkansas to take on Philander Smith.