NEWPORT NEWS – Karree Smith led the 7th-ranked Apprentice School men’s basketball team with 19 points Saturday as the Builders held off Cheyney with a stellar defensive effort, 65-53.

After the two teams traded blows through the first seven minutes to get to an 11-11 score, the Builders went on a 10-3 stretch to take the lead for good. Apprentice (3-3 overall, 2-0 NSAC) pushed the lead out to as many as 17 in the first half before the Wolves fought back to trim the lead to single digits midway through the second half.

Cheyney (2-6) got as close as eight points down the stretch, but the Builders answered each time to keep the game at a comfortable margin to get back in the win column.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Apprentice is now 3-0 at home.
• Caleb Mielewski finished with 11 points as the only other Builder in double figures.
• The Apprentice defense forced 18 turnovers.

NEXT UP

The Builders will hit the road down to Virginia Wesleyan Monday.

Story and image courtesy gobuilders.com