Dillard Secures Senior Night Victory

NEW ORLEANS– In an exciting matchup on February 15, 2025, at Dent Hall, Dillard University secured a crucial victory over Wiley College (TX), winning 62-55. This game marked an important conference triumph for Dillard, improving their season record to 17-8 overall and 13-4 in conference play, while Wiley fell to 9-12 overall and 7-9 in the conference.

The game was a tale of two halves, with Dillard establishing an early lead, ending the first half up by seven points, 24-17. Both teams matched each other point for point in the second half, each scoring 38 points, but the first-half deficit proved too large for Wiley to overcome.

Dillard's success was built on efficient shooting and strong rebounding. The team shot 41.7% from the field and an impressive 78.3% from the free-throw line. They also dominated the boards with 31 total rebounds, matching Wiley's rebounding efforts. Bentravin Phillips led Dillard with 16 points, shooting 4-9 from the field and a perfect 6-6 from the free-throw line. Tory Cargo contributed significantly with 9 rebounds and 6 points, while Ben Fort provided a spark off the bench with 12 points.

Wiley, on the other hand, struggled with their shooting, recording a field goal percentage of only 31.6% and a three-point shooting percentage of 21.7%. Despite these struggles, Demarius Pitts managed to score 14 points, while Shamir Mosley added 12 points. Wiley's main challenge was converting their opportunities, particularly from beyond the arc and the charity stripe.

Turnovers were a significant factor in the game, with Dillard committing 18 compared to Wiley's 14. However, Dillard's ability to capitalize on their chances at the free-throw line gave them the edge needed to secure the win. Wiley was also hampered by a technical foul, which may have disrupted their momentum during the game.

Overall, Dillard's balanced scoring, efficient shooting, and strong rebounding were key elements in their victory. As they look to close out the season strongly, maintaining this level of performance will be crucial in their pursuit of further success in the conference.

-Bleu Devils-