WBB: AT THEIR OWN GAME

| By: story & photos by Kyle Cooper, Concord Sports Information Director

LADY LIONS CLAIM "INTENSE" VICTORY AT WEST VIRGINIA STATE

Concord women's basketball coach Kenny Osborne knew that if West Virginia State had its preference, Thursday's matchup between the Lady Lions and Yellow Jackets might be something less than elegant.
Jolysa Brown Shot at WVSU #2

“They're going to want to be physical with us,” Osborne said before the game.  “They're going to want to grind it out.  They're going to play hard.  We have to be ready for that.  It's always intense when Concord plays West Virginia State.”

The Lady Lions showed intensity on both ends of the floor, limiting the Yellow Jackets to .347 shooting and breaking away from a late tie with game-changing rally in a 67-64 victory at Fleming Hall in Institute, WV.

The win improved CU to 11-2, 8-2 and returned the Lady Lions to first place in the conference.  It also completed a regular-season sweep of the Yellow Jackets – CU downed State 77-66 on November 16.

The Lady Lions shot just .324 (11-34) in the 1st half, but held WVSU to .237 (9-38) and led 29-23 at halftime. 

CU was ahead 33-26 when the Yellow Jackets went on 19-9 run to take a 45-42 lead with 10:25 left in the game.  Concord responded with seven unanswered points -- on layups by Andrea Bertrand and Jolysa Brown, and a three-point shot from freshman Jacqueline Kestner -- to go back into the lead for good.

Another layup by Brown with 1:24 to go gave CU some breathing room at 66-60, and they would need it.  WVSU closed within 66-64 with :52 left, and after Brown made a free throw with :24 remaining  the Yellow Jackets were still within one possession.

But Kestner blocked Maria Femia's three-point try with :06 to go, and Sissy Wagner's desperation shot at the buzzer bounced off the rim.

The Lady Lions outrebounded WVSU 55-46 and blocked ten shots. 

Brown paced Concord with game-highs of 18 points and 13 rebounds.  It was her 7th double-double of the season and the 38th of her career.  She also blocked six shots and handed out five assists.

Bertrand added a double-double of her own, with 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Jasmine Blanton led WVSU with 16 points, making all three of her three-point shots.
Up next for Concord is a visit to WVIAC foe Wheeling Jesuit on Saturday, January 14.  Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 pm at the McDonough Center in Wheeling, WV.  CU defeated the Cardinals, 75-60, on December 7 at the Carter Center.


(statistics courtesy of WVSU Sports Information)


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