MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The WCU basketball team followed up their season opening win with an 83-65 victory over Fisk University Saturday afternoon to wrap up play in the Jimmy Faulkner Classic.
 
Head Coach Steve Knight said after the game, "We were a little sluggish today at times, but the guys put together a good run in the first half to take control of the game. We were ice cold in the second half for the first 10 minutes but then had a devastating run to put the game away. Our defense forced 23 turnovers and really got us going leading to some explosive offensive plays. I am very proud of our play late in the game as we took control and put the game away. Our depth really wore them down late."
 
The Bulldogs jumped out to an early 8-2 lead but eight unanswered points by Troy Dunn, Javeon Gordon, and Jamar Jenkins gave Carey a two-point lead after five minutes of play. Over the next five minutes there were five lead changes with Fisk holding a 21-20 lead at the ten-minute mark.
 
Five straight points by Randarius Hughes over a two-minute span put the Crusaders ahead 25-21. Seven more unanswered points followed from the Carey offense to push their lead to 32-21. Carey went on to push that lead to 13 with four minutes remaining in the half. The Bulldogs managed to trim the lead to 38-31 with under three to play but the Crusaders closed the half with six straight points to take a 44-31 lead into the break.
 
An opening three by Gordon to start the second half made it a 16-point advantage. Like their season opening game. The Carey offense went cold not scoring a basket for six minutes, allowing Fisk to cut the deficit to just three points at 47-44 with under 13 minutes remaining.
 
Malik Franklin broke the drought with a layup and after four minutes had passed, a dunk by Anthony Robinson kick started the Carey offense again. Leading 51-46, the Crusaders put the game away for good, as four different Crusaders combined for a 14-0 run to take a 19 point lead. It was all Carey from there, as they pulled away to as many as 24 on their way to victory.
 
Malik Franklin led the offense with 13 points. Troy Dunn and Javeon Gordon each added 11 points with Makeem Roberts pulling down 10 rebounds.
 
Carey is back in action Tuesday, October 28, as they take on Southeastern Baptist in their home opener. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 pm at Clinton Gym.