Concord Starts Fast, Defeats UVa.-Wise, 57-40

ATHENS, W.Va. – The Concord University women's basketball used a 22-2 run to start the game to down UVa.-Wise 57-40 Thursday night in Mountain Eat Conference play at the Carter Center.

Concord (5-11, 5-6 MEC), now winners in two of its last three contests, got off to a fast start offensively as senior forward Rachel Artrip, junior forward Kylie Molisee and senior guard Melea Smith combined for 19 of the 22 points. Senior forward Jacqueline Kestner connected on one of four Concord three-pointers in the opening minutes to add the other three points.

On the defensive end, Concord forced six turnovers while the Cavaliers (5-12, 4-7 MEC) were able to connect on just one of their first 14 shots. CU also held UVa.-Wise scoreless for nearly 10 minutes during the first half.

Concord kept its lead in double figures for the rest of the first half and took a 33-17 lead into halftime. In the second half, the Mountain Lions snuffed any hopes of a comeback attempt by the Cavaliers opening the second half on a 13-2 run led by Molisee and sophomore center Alley Odell who had four points each during the run.

With 11:58 left in the game, the Maroon and Gray had run its lead to a game-high 25 points, 46-21.

The Cavaliers would not get any closer than the 17 points in which it was defeated by.

CU nearly had three players recorded double-doubles in the win. Artrip tallied 12 points, pulled down a career-high 14 rebounds and connected on two three-pointers. The Swords Creek, Virginia native posted her second double-double of the season and also tied Blaire Hamric for eighth all-time in made three-pointers in Concord history with 108.
Molisee had a game-high 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Kestner collected 11 rebounds and finished one point shy of what would have been her team-leading eighth double-double of the season.

Smith also recorded double figures in the scoring column with 10 points.

The 17-point win for Concord was its largest of the season and biggest since January 13, 2014 when they beat Shepherd by 24 points.

For the second time in four games, the Mountain Lions finished with 50 or more rebounds as they owned a plus-17 advantage on the glass (51-34). Concord also shared the ball well against UVa.-Wise as they had 17 assists on 25 made shots as four CU players had at least three assists led by Artrip with four. Freshman guard Danielle Catron (three), Kestner (three) and sophomore guard Olivia Morgan (three) also contributed in the assist column.

The Mountain Lions will seek to sweep the regular season series with Glenville State when they welcome the Pioneers into the Carter Center 2:00 p.m. Saturday.