ATHENS, W.Va. – The Concord University women's basketball could not hold off a furious rally by West Virginia Wesleyan as CU fell to the Bobcats 57-56 Thursday night at the Carter Center in Mountain East Conference action.
The Mountain Lions (5-13, 5-8 MEC) seemingly dominated the first half as Concord led 30-19 at halftime. As a team, Concord held WVWC (2-14, 2-11 MEC) to 25.8 percent shooting while CU shot 44.4 percent (12-for-27) from the field during the first 20 minutes of the game.
In the first five minutes of play in the second half, both teams traded baskets as the Mountain Lions maintained a 41-30 lead with 14:24 remaining in the contest.
West Virginia Wesleyan went on a 20-9 run over the next 12 minutes to even the score 50-50 with 2:38 left in the game. Senior forward
Rachel Artrip knocked in a three-pointer to give the Mountain Lions a 53-50 edge, however, that triple was answered with a three-pointer by WVWC's Allie Browne.
After two foul shots from Browne, Artrip put CU ahead with her second straight three-pointer. With Artrip's trey, Concord went ahead 56-55 with 49 seconds left.
Concord got a defensive stop, but quickly turned the ball over paving the way for the Bobcats' Kiki DeVane to make a shot from inside the foul line and push West Virginia Wesleyan back ahead 57-56 with nine seconds remaining. Artrip's shot from well behind the three-point line fell short as Concord fell short, 57-56.
Thursday marked the 11 straight game that Artrip has connected on at least one three-pointer.
Junior forward
Kylie Molisee had 14 points and six rebounds on 6-for-9 shooting. Sophomore guard
Olivia Morgan matched her career high with 13 points. Senior forward
Jacqueline Kestner also matched her season best with four steals including two in the first half that led to easy CU baskets.
Concord bested WVWC in points in the paint (28-20), points off turnovers (23-14), fast break points (8-4) and assists (12-10).
The loss against West Virginia Wesleyan snapped a five-game winning streak against the Bobcats dating back to the 2012-2013 season.
CU will look to put the narrow loss behind as they host Notre Dame 2:00 p.m. Saturday.
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