FAIRMONT, W.Va. – The Concord University women's basketball team fell in its season opener versus Shaw, 69-56, as part of the CIAA-MEC Challenge hosted by Fairmont State University at Joe Retton Arena.
The Mountain Lions were paced by senior forward
Jacqueline Kestner who posted her seventh career double-double by scoring 14 points to go along with a career-high 14 rebounds.
The Mountain Lions jumped out to a 10-2 lead over the first four minutes of the game as junior forward
Kylie Molisee provided six of the 10 points.
But, Shaw fought back and went on an extended 20-7 run over 13 minutes to take a 22-17 lead with three minutes left in the first half. Shaw maintained a five-point lead at halftime, 28-23.
In the second half, the Bears put a game-high 13-point gap between themselves and CU, 50-37, with 11 minutes remaining. However, Concord began erasing the deficit. Over the next three minutes, the Mountain Lions scored 13 points in a row to tie the game. Once against, Molisee keyed the run by scoring six of the team's 13 points.
Shaw scored nine of the game's next 11 points to lead by nine points and eventually put Concord away, 69-56.
Along with Kestner's 14 points, Molisee scored 16 points on 7-for-13 shooting while senior guard
Melea Smith also finished in double figures with 13 points and hitting three of Concord's four three-point attempts.
Sophomore guard
Olivia Morgan scored eight points while dishing out six assists and collecting five rebounds for Concord.
The Mountain Lions were outrebounded 45-36 and the Bears had more steals 8-7. Shaw shot 43.5 percent (27-for-62) compared to CU's 34.4 percent (22-for-64). However, Concord made more three-point field goals (4-1).
Shaw was led by Verdine Warner who had a game-high 29 points and 12 rebounds.
The Mountain Lions will play Saturday in their second and final game of the MEC-CIAA Challenge against Fayetteville State at 2:00 p.m.
A full box score will be provided once it becomes available.
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