Charlotte, NC - The Johnson & Wales Wildcats (5 - 15) hosted the Cougars of Valor Christian College in JWU's first game of the JWU Invitational. This is the first ever meeting between the teams and it proved to be a hard fought game by both sides.

The Warriors opened up with a 10-4 run to take the early lead over JWU. The Wildcats got within 1 point before taking their first lead at 15-14, 5 minutes into the game. The game was played at a very high pace for the first 9 minutes. Mario Irby's jumper at the 11:10 mark gave JWU a 28-23 lead, which would prove to be their largest of the game. The pace would slow considerably for the remaining 11 minutes of the half. VCC would turn up the defensive pressure and clawed their way back to draw even at the half. The Warriors' Yves Saintelo scored the last 4 points of the half to forge the 37 all tie.

Saintelo began the second half as he finished the first. His 4 quick points gave VCC a lead they would never relinquish. The Wildcats would maintain contact with the Warriors until Adam Cunningham made back to back 3-pointers to put VCC up 12 at 55-43. The Wildcats would get as close as 9 with 4:33 left on a Robbie Sterling three point play. VCC would cruise from there going on a 15-1 run to end the game.

Kareem Wilson had another solid game with 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists. The Wildcats were led in scoring by Kindrick Anderson and Robbie Sterling with 12 points each. Sterling also added 9 rebounds. Nick Crawford followed with 11 points.

The Wildcats host Moravian Prep tomorrow afternoon in JWU's final game of the invitational. Tip-off is set for 4pm.