Campus News
December 2nd, 2025
Garrett College men even record at 4-4
Lakers rout Waynesburg University JV, Blue Chips Preparatory
Garrett College's 107-49 men's basketball victory over the visiting Waynesburg University junior varsity Monday night was a showcase for the Lakers' offensive versatility.
GC blew the game open early, using a 23-4 scoring spree to build a 37-16 cushion. The run included three baskets off offensive rebounds, a trio of 3-pointers, and three hoops in transition as six different Lakers scored.
"We want to be good in transition, get open looks from the perimeter, and get on the offensive glass," said GC head coach Matt McCullough, whose squad checked all of those boxes as the Lakers evened their record at 4-4 with their second consecutive win.
Keyonta Johnson (10 rebounds) scored a game-high 17 points for Garrett, which placed six in double figures as all 12 Lakers reached the scoring column. McCullough, however, was more pleased with a defense that held the Yellow Jackets to just 17 made field goals, including six in the second half.
"We've struggled at times defensively and have spent a lot of practice time on the defensive side of the ball," said McCullough. "We've been installing some different defensive concepts that the guys are picking up. That gives us a good chance to improve on that side of the ball."
Tyree Eloise (16 points), Lenny Smith (13 points), Josh Evander (13 points), Cory Harper (11 points, eight rebounds), and Will Huckabone (11 points) all reached double figures for the Lakers.
"I thought Will Huckabone stood out," McCullough said of the 6-foot-9 forward who graduated from high school in 2018 without having played basketball. "He had a big learning curve coming in, which he knew and we knew. His skill set is starting to show through as he puts it all together."
Waynesburg stayed in the game early, thanks to a pair of 3-pointers from Tyler Kerner and consecutive jumpers by Treshon Makaya (team-high 10 points) that pulled the Yellow Jackets within 14-12. GC, however, answered with its 23-4 surge as Evander dropped in seven points and Smith added six.
GC had eight 3-pointers to just two for Waynesburg in the opening half, which ended with the Lakers holding a 52-26 advantage.
Garrett opened the second half with a 9-0 run, capped by consecutive inside hoops from Nehemiah Johnson (10 rebounds, four points), to stretch the lead to 61-26. The lead reached 40 points (69-29) on consecutive slam dunks from Keyonta Johnson and hit an even 50 (86-36) on an Evander trey with exactly six minutes remaining.
GC broke the century mark for the second straight game when Petar Kos (four points) banked in a jumper with 2:39 remaining.
"Guys who hadn't gotten as many minutes in our first six games got some valuable time over the last two games," said McCullough.
McCullough said the Lakers were much sharper against Waynesburg than they were in a 41-point rout of Blue Chips International Preparatory School a week earlier.
"We were much improved in our approach," said McCullough. "We played a cleaner game and were more committed to what we needed to do. The mental side of the game for us is as important as the physical. Tonight was a step in the right direction."
Notes: Zion Robinson (two points, two steals, two blocks) was the third Laker with 10 rebounds. Luis Botelho (five points, three assists) had four steals. Donovahn Keyes added four points and Dechaun Reed contributed three points for GC.
The Lakers play at Montgomery College Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. and host Robert Morris University's junior varsity Friday at 3 p.m.
GC 114, Blue Chips 73
Photo by Sawyer Hershey
Laker Lenny Smith scores two of his 18 points against Blue Chips last Monday night.
The best way to maintain a lead is to expand it.
That must be among the "lessons learned" by the Lakers after squandering second-half leads in recent men's basketball losses to Harford Community College and Allegany College of Maryland. Garrett College spent last Monday's opening half stretching out its lead against Blue Chips International Preparatory School, taking a 58-23 lead at the break on the way to the lopsided win.
"It's a totally different mindset than we had for the last three games," said GC head coach Matt McCullough, whose Lakers snapped a three-game losing streak. "We've worked a lot on making the right plays, passing to guys who are open, passing to open guys on time, and making quick and easy decisions."
McCullough also praised his team's unselfish play.
"They shared the ball well on a night when it might have been easy to play as individuals," said McCullough.
GC took control early, reeling off 18 straight points in 2:53 of the first half to build a 22-3 cushion. Lenny Smith had seven points during the run, starting and ending the spurt with hoops, as five different Lakers had baskets.
Garrett scored 30 points in the first 10 minutes and led by 30 points with 8:01 left in the opening half, which Smith ended with a 3-pointer to stretch the lead to 35. The most momentous moments of the second half came on a thunderous slam dunk by Will Huckabone (nine rebounds, six points) and a 3-pointer by Josh Evander (13 points) with 5:21 remaining that pushed the Lakers over the century mark (101-61).
While pleased with the win, McCullough offered one cautionary note.
"From a player's perspective, it's challenging because what's available to you as a player tonight may be much different than most games," said McCullough, noting the higher caliber of competition when the Lakers move back into regional action. "We had a good first half, but I didn't think we were as sharp mentally in the second half."
Smith and Tyree Eloise shared team-high scoring honors with 18 points each.
"I thought Tyree did a good job," McCullough said of Eloise, who had scored five points in 10 minutes in his two previous games played. "He played hard – that's a lot of the battle in a game like this. This was an opportunity for him to get some more experience."
Keyonta Johnson (six rebounds, four steals) scored 13 points and Dechaun Reed contributed 10 for the Lakers.
Zion Robinson (team-high 10 rebounds, two steals), Nehemiah Johnson (eight rebounds, two steals), and Cory Harper each added eight points for GC. Point guard Luis Botelho had a team-high five assists to go with five points, and Donovahn Keyes (six rebounds) added four points as all 11 Lakers who played scored.
Garrett Wilfong scored a game-high 22 points, Erick DelaCruz added 17, and Seth Small-Jenkins tallied 10 for Blue Chips Prep.
