BY JAY SLEDGE

Both teams entered the matchup eager to set the tone for their inaugural conference campaigns. The Bulldogs' balanced attack and timely defense proved decisive in a close back-and-forth battle at Leonard E. Dawson Center.

Wilberforce's offensive rhythm revolved around Cali Davis's outstanding performance. Davis lit up the scoreboard with 32 points, shooting an impressive 9-of-16 from the field and 7-of-11 from beyond the arc. His clutch free throws in the second half helped maintain the Bulldogs' edge. Complementing his scoring prowess, Jesse Olverson Jr. provided 10 points and 6 rebounds, while Kyle Cardenas added 12 points off the bench, making critical plays down the stretch.

Defensively, Wilberforce displayed resilience, forcing Voorhees into 20 turnovers while grabbing 34 rebounds. Jamir Hymes anchored the defense with five rebounds, a steal, and a block, ensuring Voorhees had limited opportunities in the paint. The Bulldogs' ability to disrupt Voorhees' offense, particularly their outside shooting, kept the Tigers to a mere 11.8% from three-point range.

Voorhees leaned heavily on Keshawn Evans, who led the Tigers with 28 points on 11-of-12 shooting while dominating the boards with 13 rebounds. Despite his standout effort, Voorhees struggled to find consistent scoring from other players, with no other Tiger scoring more than 11 points.

The victory gives Wilberforce, who was voted 12th out of 13th in the Pre-Season Poll, an early advantage in conference standings and showcases their potential to compete at a high level. Voorhees, though falling short, demonstrated they are a formidable opponent with pieces like Evans to build around. The Bulldogs will look to refine their game as they navigate their first season in the competitive HBCU Athletic Conference.