Historic Start Continues for D&E Basketball, Finish Non-Conference Slate Undefeated

Historic Start Continues for D&E Basketball, Finish Non-Conference Slate Undefeated | Davis & Elkins College Athletic Department

By Press release submission

Dec 27, 2022

Historic Start Continues for D&E Basketball, Finish Non-Conference Slate Undefeated

The Senators finished their non-conference slate undefeated (6-0) after a pair of victories in the Embry-Riddle Holiday Classic over Tusculum University and Thomas University. Both teams were receiving votes nationally in their respective associations (Tusculum NCAA D2 and Thomas NAIA). Tusculum University came into the holiday weekend with a 5-2 record before falling to the Senators, while Thomas was 11-2 and undefeated (5-0) in Sun Conference play.

Daytona Beach Fla. - Tusculum Recap

The Senators men's basketball team trailed for the majority of the defensive slugfest until a 9-0 run late in the game. Senators rallied to a 59-54 win over Tusculum University at the ICI Center on the opening day of the Embry-Riddle Holiday Classic.

Davis & Elkins (8-4) forced 18 turnovers including a dozen in the second half with five miscues coming in the final four minutes. Tusculum (5-3) finished the game shooting a season-low 33.3 percent including 1-of-11 to close out the contest.

The D&E duo of Vadim Clanet and Sam Rolle IV each accounted for 15 points, while Evan Busby tallied nine markers in the first recorded meeting between the two schools.

Davis & Elkins went 13-of-24 from the floor in the second half (54%) but only managed to shoot 37.5 percent for the game.

Daytona Beach, Fla. - Thomas Recap

The second game was a much different offensive story with the Senators shooting a scorching 50% from the field 57% from three and 83% from the free throw line to outlast the Nighthawks 95-84.

D&E was led by Junior point guard Sam Rolle who finished the game with 27 points and 11 assists. Sam did the majority of his damage at the free throw line scoring 17 of his 20 free throw attempts. One of the better offensive nights for D&E saw 4 other senators in double figures. Vadim Clanet (17), Evan Busby (16), Jordan Alexander (13), and Clarens Pierre (10).

D&E only committed 11 turnovers which marked its lowest single game turnovers all year and assisted on 20 of its 29 made field goals, also a season high.

D&E continues its historic start with a 6-0 non conference record for the first time in program history and a 9-4 record. All four of the Senator's losses have come to teams in the top 5 of the MEC standings, and the win vs Thomas University marks coach Mondragon's highest single season wins (previously 8). All before Christmas break.

The Senators have 16 MEC games remaining and will open up their spring campaign vs. University of Charleston in the McDonnell Center on Saturday, January 7 at 7:30 PM.