Box Score

LEXINGTON, Va. – A big second-half run allowed visiting Wofford College to pull away from the VMI basketball team Wednesday night for an 83-72 win in Southern Conference action in Cameron Hall. VMI's two seniors, post players Jake Stephens and Connor Arnold, were honored in a pre-game ceremony on Senior Night.

Wofford led 34-29 at the half, holding VMI to just 2-15 shooting (13.3%) from three-point range. Following five straight free throws from freshman Honor Huff, the game was tied at 43-43 with 13 minutes remaining. A run of 19-7 gave the visitors a 62-50 lead with eight minutes left, an advantage they extended to 17 down the stretch.   

Huff and sophomore Trey Bonham each scored 20 points for VMI and combined for five steals. Arnold nailed three three-pointers and ended with 13 points and Cooper Sisco had eight points.
With conference player of the year candidate Stephens out with an injury, the Terriers took advantage in the paint. Wofford shot 56.1 percent for the game (32-57), including a 67.9 percent mark (19-28) in the second half and held a 36-26 advantage in rebounding.

Max Klesmit scored 18 of his game-high 22 points for Wofford (17-12/9-8 SoCon) in the second half and made 8-of-12 shots. B.J. Mack hit 9-of-13 for 21 points with seven rebounds and Ryan Larson had 15 points.

VMI (16-13/9-8) closes out the conference regular-season schedule Saturday at Western Carolina University at 7 p.m.

Quotes from head coach Dan Earl:
"It was a tough game to be honest. First of all, so fortunate to have those two seniors Connor Arnold and Jake Stephens. Connor was able to give us some valuable minutes and played well, made shots, and battled throughout. Without Jake, it does make things tougher, but unfortunately tonight we didn't have the same mindset that we had at Chattanooga. Looking at the huddle there, we had that look in the eyes. There were times tonight where guys were a little unsure for whatever reason. We have to do some soul searching -again, it wasn't anybody's fault in particular, but in the whole I thought we could have played with more pop and more energy."
 
"Wofford played hard, played well, and made enough plays especially in the second half. Obviously, Klesmit and Mack are really good players and Larson has been in the league for a while. Credit to Wofford and what they did tonight."