Patriots Turn Up the Heat in Second Half

Box Score

Patriots Turn Up the Heat in Second Half, Topple Patrick Henry College 65-56

Purcellville, VA – The University of Valley Forge men's basketball team showed resilience and grit on Friday night, storming back from a seven-point halftime deficit to defeat Patrick Henry College 65-56. The Patriots' second-half surge was sparked by a dominant performance at the free-throw line and clutch plays down the stretch.

Second-Half Surge Powers UVF

Trailing 29-22 at the break, the Patriots flipped the script in the second half, outscoring the visitors 43-27. UVF's offense found its rhythm, shooting 36.4% from the field and a remarkable 73.9% from the charity stripe in the final 20 minutes.

Pierre, Reece, & Metivia Lead the Comeback

Denzel Pierre led all scorers with 14 points, including 11 in the second half. Pierre was electric down the stretch, converting 4-of-4 free throws and draining key three-pointers to fuel the comeback.

Isaiah Reece was equally impressive off the bench, contributing 12 points on efficient 4-of-8 shooting. Reece's two thunderous dunks in transition energized the crowd of 35 and provided momentum-shifting plays.

Christian Metivia added 10 points and was clutch at the free-throw line, going 6-of-8 for the game, including several critical makes in the final minutes to seal the victory.

Defensive Intensity Makes the Difference

The Patriots' defense tightened considerably in the second half, forcing 10 turnovers and converting them into 18 points. UVF also dominated the boards, out-rebounding Patrick Henry College 33-46 for the game, with critical offensive rebounds leading to 16 second-chance points.

The team's defensive pressure resulted in 10 steals, with contributions across the roster demonstrating the Patriots' commitment to team defense.

Bench Provides Critical Spark

UVF's bench outscored Patrick Henry's reserves 30-2, a decisive factor in the outcome. Michael Broady provided a lift with 5 points, including a crucial three-pointer late in the game. Kyle Jones chipped in 7 points, hitting key free throws during crunch time.