Cavaliers win 65-59 in Gemmell’s finale

By Cody Dalton

On what was a snowy day in Wise, Virginia, the UVA-Wise basketball team was rained on Bryan’s victory parade, winning 65-59, in what was point guard Parker Gemmell’s final home game. Early through the first quarter of the game, scoring was tight. Layups by both Parker Gemmell and Zydrunas Rackauskas kept the early portion of the game extremely close. Three pointers by both Parker Gemmell and Joey Blackwell helped give UVA-Wise an early 4 point lead. Several plays later, Bryan College would build the momentum and a three by #22 of the Bryan College would give them a 2-point lead, but Gemmell would have an answer. Gemmell would drive and hit a lay-up to tie the game, 21-21. A lay-up and 2 free throws by Zydrunas, the game would still be tied, 23-23. The first half would end 27-25, with Blackwell and Zydrunas leading the way with 6 points a piece.

The second half of the game would stay just as close as the first. Key plays were a must for both teams, with UVA-Wise connecting on two key threes. This would give the Cavaliers the early advantage, 37-33. Joey Blackwell would connect on two more threes, giving UVA-Wise a 43-35 lead at the 12:35 point in the 2nd half. The Cavaliers would hold this lead until Bryan College mounted a comeback to bring the game to 45-42 with 8:20 remaining in the ball game. Both teams lost out opportunities to score, but both teams continued to keep pace with each other. With 4:12 left in the game, the Cavaliers led 51-49. Joey Blackwell would once again deliver from three, giving UVA-Wise the 54-49 led late in the 4th quarter. Wise would keep the game in check, but Bryan would connect on a key three with 2:45 remaining the bring the game to 57-53, UVA-Wise still leading. With seconds winding down in the game, the Cavaliers maintained the momentum and possession to win 65-59. Junior Joey Blackwell had a career-high 19 points for the Cavaliers, as Gemmell added 14 points in his home curtain call. “It was a good win for our team,” said Blackwell. “It was good to get Parker a win in his last game.”

This game marked the last home game in Parker Gemmell’s college basketball career for UVA-Wise. “You want to savor every moment in a situation like this,” said Gemmell about playing in his last game. “I couldn’t have asked for a better scenario.” The Cavaliers improved to 11-17 overall and 7-11 in the AAC. They will now travel to Virginia Intermont and King College before playing in the AAC Tournament.