Salako scores 26 as Skipjacks win at PSC

KEYSER, W.Va.  – Road wins against region rivals – especially after four-hour bus rides – don't come easily.  That's what makes Chesapeake College's 78-75 men's basketball victory at Potomac State College of West Virginia University Saturday night so special.

"It's a very difficult place to play," Chesapeake head coach Joel Dearring said of the Catamounts' cozy home gym.  "They get a lot of support from their fans."

The Skipjacks (7-4) used big games from numerous players to overcome PSC's home-court advantage.  Akanni Salako scored a game-high 26 points and three different Skipjacks – Kevin Bonsu (16 points, 10 rebounds), Chad Church (eight points, 16 rebounds), and Geran Pope (four points, 12 rebounds) – posted double-digit rebound totals as Chesapeake controlled the boards.

Dion Bivens joined Salako and Bonsu in double figures with 15 points, while William Gilmore had 10 assists.

Dearring had special praise for Bonsu after the sophomore's double-double.

"We had a little pre-game meeting and he (Bonsu) said, 'When you call me tonight, I'll be ready' – and he was," said Dearring.

The Skipjacks won despite going a woeful 13-for-30 from the foul line.

"That (free-throw shooting) kind of kept the game close, but we still kept our poise," said Dearring.  "We could have come up with any number of reasons not to win this game tonight, starting with our free-throwing shooting.  They just decided they were going to find a way to win."

Peyton Hartman led Potomac State (3-2) with 20 points.

While the game was a non-conference contest, it counted in the NJCAA Division II Region XX standings.

"It's real big," said Dearring. "These region games are so important down the road for seeding purposes."

The Skipjacks, winners of three straight and seven of their last 10, concluded the 2012 portion of their schedule with a 7 p.m. home game Friday against Hagerstown Community College.

"We can't wait to get back home," said Dearring.  "We'd like to see a lot of people come out for our final game before the break."