Okocha’s Career-High Night Spurs 89-73 Win Over Geneva
WASHINGTON, Pa. – Washington & Jefferson senior guard Uchenna Okocha (Cleveland Heights, Ohio/University School) fired in a career-high 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting on Senior Night to lead the Presidents past Geneva 89-73 on Wednesday evening at the Henry Memorial Center.
The Presidents (7-17, 3-12 PAC) snapped an eight-game losing streak by placing five players in double figures. The 89 points were the most scored since posting 105 versus Penn State-Fayette on Dec. 7, 2010.
W&J led 19-16 with 11:39 remaining in the first half before freshman guard Mike Resnik’s (White Oak, Pa./McKeesport) seven points fueled a 10-1 spurt to push the lead to 29-17. Geneva cut the gap to 32-28 at the 3:43 mark; however, Okocha scored nine points in the final three minutes for a 46-36 halftime advantage.
Washington & Jefferson held the double-digit advantage for a majority of the second half by shooting 55 percent (17-of-31). Resnik (8-of-12 shooting) scored 12 of his team-high 19 points in the final 20 minutes to help seal the victory.
Okocha added five rebounds and five assists for the Presidents, who shot a season-high 55 percent overall (35-of-64). Junior guard Zach Bellhy (McDonald, Pa./Fort Cherry) added 18 points, five rebounds and three assists, while freshman guard Andy Carter (North Huntingdon, Pa./Norwin) contributed 16 points and a game-high seven rebounds. Sophomore point guard Brett Rubin-Goldstein (Pittsburgh, Pa./Fox Chapel) was the final President in double figures with 10 points. He also had four rebounds, three steals and two assists.
W&J out-rebounded the Golden Tornadoes (5-18, 4-11) by a 34-28 margin and scored 26 points off 16 Geneva turnovers. The Presidents also scored 48 points in the paint.
Geneva had four players in double figures led by Dave Phillips’ 20-point effort.
Washington & Jefferson can move up to the No. 7 seed for next week’s conference tournament Saturday with a win at Waynesburg (3:30 pm).
