Groselle Scores Game-High 22 Points as Dogs Fall to Davidson, 80-51

FINAL	1	2	T
The Citadel (4-14, 1-6 SoCon)	16	35	51
Davidson (14-4, 8-0 SoCon)	47	33	80
Davidson, N.C. - John M. Belk Arena

The Citadel	Davidson
Pts: Mike Groselle - 22	Pts: COHEN, Jake - 20
Reb: Mike Groselle - 5	Reb: BROOKS, De'Mon - 9
Ast: Mike Groselle - 3	Ast: 2 Players (#05, #23 - 3)

Team Statistics	The Citadel	Davidson
Field Goal %	35.3% (18-51 )	53.4% (31-58 )
Rebounds	22	46
Assists	7	10
Turnovers	13	13
Pts off Turnovers	9	18
2nd Chance Pts	2	10
Pts in the Paint	20	38
Fastbreak Pts	2	2
Bench Pts	18	23

full stats

DAVIDSON, N.C.— Citadel center Mike Groselle topped the 20-point plateau for the third time in the last four games, scoring 22 points, but it was a hot shooting Davidson squad that came away victorious, 80-51, on Saturday night at John M. Belk Arena. Groselle was the bright spot in a tough night for the Bulldogs, hitting 7-of-10 from the floor and 8-for-11 from the free throw line, en route to his game-high 22 points.

Despite hitting 14-of-27 (51.9%) from the floor in the second half, The Citadel was unable to mount a comeback after falling behind by 31 points at the half. Groselle was joined in scoring by the trio of Bo Holston, Marshall Harris III and DeVontae Wright, who scored five points apiece. The Dogs (4-14, 1-6 SoCon) managed just 3-of-11 (27.3%) from 3-point range, as Holston, Harris III and Ashton Moore each converted one shot from beyond the arc. Groselle guided the way for the Cadets with five rebounds, pulling down four on the defensive end. The Bulldogs also combined for 18 points from reserves Harris III (5 pts.), Holston (5 pts.), Jordan Robertson (4 pts.) and Barry Smith (4 pts.).

The South Division leading Wildcats finished 31-of-58 (53.4%) from the floor, after hitting better than 50 percent for each half. Davidson took advantage of a 7-of-17 (41.2%) performance from 3-point range to improve to 14-4 overall and a perfect 8-0 in Southern Conference play. Jake Cohen scored a team-high 20 points, while De'Mon Brooks and JP Kuhlman added 15 and 11 points, respectively. In total 12 Wildcats scored two points or more in the contest. Brooks (9 rebs.) and teammate Tom Droney (8 rebs.) gave Davidson a 46-22 advantage on the boards, as the tandem combined for five offensive rebounds. They were also significant in a 38-20 edge in points in the paint.

The Wildcats improved on a 47-16 halftime lead by scoring five of the first seven points of the second half, including four from Cohen to lead 52-18 at the 16:43 mark.

The Citadel quickly answered with a 10-2 run, sparked by five points by Groselle and another three points by Morabbi, making for a 54-28 Davidson lead with 12:25 on the clock.

After a free throw by Brooks just 18 seconds later, Harris III buried his on 3-pointer of the game, drawing the Dogs within 24 points, 55-31, their closest margin of the half.

Davidson extended its lead behind five points from Brooks and three by Frank Ben-Eze as the Wildcats scored seven of the games next 12 points during a 3:23 stretch.

The Citadel scored 13 points in the final 6:45 of the half, starting with a series of jumpers by Wright that made for a 67-40 score. Smith added four points off the bench and despite three points by Groselle, the Dogs fell by an 80-51 final.

Davidson broke the huddle and converted 19-of-36 (52.8%) in the opening frame, including 6-of-12 (50%) from beyond the arc. The combination of Cohen (14 pts.) and Kuhlman (11 pts.) led seven Wildcats in scoring. Cohen hit 7-of-10 from the floor, while Kuhlman closed with a 4-of-5 outing, including a perfect 3-of-3 from 3-point range. Droney hauled in seven rebounds, two on the offensive glass, as Davidson controlled the boards 28-11 in the first half.

Meanwhile, The Citadel struggled to find any offensive rhythm, hitting 4-of-24 (16.7%) from the field and only one from long range. Groselle led the way for the Dogs with 10 points and three rebounds, while Moore and Jordan Robertson were the only remaining Citadel players with multiple points, scoring three and two points, respectively.

The Wildcats opened the contest with an 11-0 run, taking 3:26 off the clock, highlighted by five points from Cohen and four by Brooks. Groselle answered by putting The Citadel on the boards with a move in the post, drawing a foul by Brooks for the opportunity of a three-point play.

Leading 11-2, Davidson scored the next 19 unanswered points behind three 3-pointers from Kuhlman, kalinoski and Brooks, to open a 30-2 lead at the 8:29 mark. Brooks was responsible for five of the Wildcats points during that span, while Cohen chipped in four.

Wright ended the Dogs scoring drought with a free throw at the eight minute mark before Groselle followed with a pair of free throws just over a minute later.

Trailing 34-5 at the 5:55 mark of the first half, The Citadel scored the next seven straight points, including a 3-pointer by Moore that put the Dogs into double figures.

Cochran and Cohen anchored a Davidson unit by combining for 10 of the final 13 points of the first half, as the Wildcats lead 47-16 at the intermission. Meanwhile, Groselle accounted for all four Citadel points in the final 3:46 of action.

The Bulldogs complete their road swing on Monday, Jan. 23 when they head to Georgia Southern. Game time is set for 7 p.m. For more information on Citadel Basketball check out www.citadelsports.com.