Box Score
ATHENS, W. Va. – The Concord University women's basketball team trimmed a 17-point second-half deficit to as little as three points with 47 seconds left in the game before ultimately falling to UVA-Wise, 70-61, Tuesday night at the Carter Center.
The Mountain Lions (2-4 overall, 1-1 WVIAC) persevered through a rough shooting first half to nearly complete the comeback victory with a fanatic 13-4 run over a three-minute stretch in the second half that cut the UVA-Wise (2-7) lead to just 64-61 with 1:11 left to play in regulation. However, the Cavilers were able to regroup in the game's final minute to convert a layup and make four foul shots to escape with the narrow victory.
Senior guard
Tanisha Williams had a career-night for Concord, posting personal-bests of 24 points, seven steals and six assists to go with a team-high eight rebounds while shooting 10-for-13 from the foul line and 7-for-12 from the field. Williams constantly pressured UVA-Wise's guards on defense and was a force on offense, making key drives to the paint and fighting for six offensive rebounds.
Junior forward
Amanda Smith added 18 points and seven rebounds of her own. Senior guard
Katy Somerville came away with career-highs of four steals and four assists while chipping in six points. Sophomore forward
Rachel Artrip also contributed six points, four rebounds and two steals,
As a team, the Mountain Lions forced the Cavilers into 22 turnovers which they converted into 19 points. CU shot 35.7 percent (20-for-56) from the field, 28.0 percent (7-for-25) from three point range and 60.9 percent (14-for-23) from the foul line. UVA-Wise shot 54.9 percent (28-for-51) from the field.
The First half saw CU shoot just 24 percent from the floor which helped UVA-Wise head into the halftime break leading 26-16.
However, Concord started to find its stride on offense in the second period and shot a respectable 45.2 percent from the field in the second 20 minutes of action. A revived offensive attack coupled with a defensive effort that forced the Cavilers into eight second-half turnovers propelled Concord from trailing 33-16 with 18 minutes to play in the game to just a three-point deficit (64-61) at the one minute mark before UVA-Wise was able to ice the game thanks in part to the aforementioned four foul shots in the final 25 seconds of the contest.
Chelsea Cluesman, one of two cousins of Concord assistant coach Jamie Cluesman that plays for UVA-Wise, led the Cavilers with a game-high 23 points. Charlotte Reasor registered a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds.
CU will look to end its two-game losing streak 5:30 p.m. Thursday at West Virginia State.
