ATHENS, W.Va. – The Concord University women's basketball nteam dropped its Mountain East Conference opener to West Virginia State, 100-87, Saturday afternoon at the Carter Center.
The Mountain Lions (1-3, 0-1 MEC) raced out to a 10-point lead, 33-23, after the first quarter. In the first period, Concord shot an astonishing 78.9 percent (15-for-19) from the field. However, West Virginia State (2-2, 1-0 MEC) went on a run in the second quarter to knot the game at halftime, 48-48.
Junior guard
Danielle Catron was a spark of the bench for CU in the first 20 minutes as she scored 12 of her 16 points during the stretch. Sophomore guard
Emily Boothe also gave the Mountain Lions big minutes by canning two three-pointers and scoring eight points in the first half.
After falling behind 61-54 in the third quarter, Concord ripped off eight straight points to take back the lead. Junior forward
Heather Chapman and senior guard
Alexis Lowery each had three points while Catron knocked down a jumper to start the run.
The remainder of the third quarter stayed within one possession. After three quarters, the Yellow Jackets were up 70-69.
Sophomore guard
Nila Hellams took a layup coast-to-coast to give Concord a 75-72 edge with just over eight minutes to play. But West Virginia State responded with a 13-3 spurt to grab an 85-78 advantage. The Mountain Lions were able to get back to within five, 90-85, after another Catron jumper, but could not close the gap anymore as the Yellow Jackets won by 13 points.
Chapman and Lowery tied for the team lead in scoring with 21 points. For Lowery, it was her second straight game with 20 or more points. Chapman notched her first career double-double by adding 10 rebounds.
Junior guard
Lindsey Overbey just missed her own double-double as she was the fourth Mountain Lion in double figures with 11 points and nine boards.
CU assisted on 23 of 33 made shots with Hellams leading the way with six assists.
Concord resumes MEC play Monday night at Charleston. The game will be played at Charleston Catholic's gymnasium. Start time is 5:30 p.m.
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