WBB: UNHAPPY ENDING, THE SEQUEL

LADY LIONS SUFFER ANOTHER CLOSE LOSS TO WLU

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The first time Concord's women's basketball team played West Liberty this season, the contest went down to the final seconds before the Lady 'Toppers hung on for a two-point victory.

Saturday afternoon's rematch was even more exciting, although it included another unhappy ending.

Hillary Southworth's layup with four seconds left gave WLU an 80-79 victory, closing out a tense, thrilling game that included ten ties and 17 lead changes.  It was CU's first home loss of the season, ending a nine-game Carter Center win streak dating back to February 2011.

The biggest lead either team enjoyed was eight points, when Concord went ahead 61-53 with 9:39 left in the game.  But West Liberty came back with a 13-4 rally to take a 66-65 lead with 6:00 to play.

Seven lead changes later, CU found itself ahead 79-75 after a Jolysa Brown free throw with :17 to go.

Six seconds later, Kayla Ayers sank a three-pointer from the right corner that pulled the 'Toppers within 79-78.  A Concord turnover gave WLU possession with :07 remaining, setting the stage for Southworth's game-winning shot.

The Lady Lions outrebounded West Liberty 38-30, including a 17-9 advantage in offensive rebounds.  CU shot .476 (30-63) against a WLU defense that was holding its opponents to .383 from the field, but allowed West Liberty to shoot .525 (32-61).

Concord's Jolysa Brown affirmed her status as a candidate for WVIAC Player of the Year, posting game highs of 28 points, 12 rebounds and six assists (without a turnover).  It was her 10th double-double of the season and the 41st of her career.

Sophomore forward Andrea Bertrand added 18 points on 8-10 shooting.  Amanda Smith finished with 12 points.

Southworth led West Liberty (11-8, 8-5) with 18 points.

BOXSCORE/PLAY-BY-PLAY

Up next for Concord (14-4, 11-3) is a matchup against WVIAC rival West Virginia Wesleyan (12-5, 9-3) at the Carter Center on Wednesday, February 1.  Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 pm.

The game will be broadcast on ESPN Radio 102.3 The Ticket (WMTD, Hinton/Princeton/Beckley), starting with the “Mountain Lions Preview Show” at 5:10.

Links to Live Stats, CU's streaming video and The Ticket's audio webcast can be found at the top of the women's basketball homepage here on www.cumountainlions.com.


(statistics provided by CU SID GA Becky Brouse)

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