Newport News, VA - Johnson & Wales knocked off host Apprentice School 83-71 at the Apprentice MLK Classic on Friday afternoon.

JWU used a 12-0 run to open the second quarter, turning an 18-15 advantage after the first quarter into a 30-15 lead with six minutes left in the half. Jamyah Blakeney had 8 and McKenzie Taylor added 7 points for the Wildcats in the first half, as JWU went 15-25 (60%) from the field in building a 32-23 advantage after 20 minutes.

Apprentice answered the bell in the third quarter, twice trimming the JWU lead to just one point in the first four minutes of the stanza. The Wildcats continued their torrid shooting, making 10 of 15 shots in the period, and closed the third with an 18-7 spurt that left them leading 60-46 with ten minutes remaining. 

The Builders never got with single digits in the fourth quarter as JWU posted season highs in both field goal percentage (57.4%) and three point field goal percentage (47.1%).

Five Wildcats scored in double figures, led by Jordan Durant's 17 points. She also had 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 5 steals. Taylor finished with 14 points to go along with 4 boards. Jayla Lovett scored 13 points while Blakeney had 12, and Gabby Tapley added 10 points.

JWU wraps up play in the Apprentice MLK Classic on Saturday, January 13th when they take on Massasoit CC at 2pm.