PHILIPPI, W.Va. – The Concord University women's basketball team was unable to hang onto a slim 34-33 halftime lead as it lost 77-64 to Alderson-Broaddus Saturday afternoon in a Mountain East Conference contest inside Rex Pyles Arena.
The Mountain Lions (13-7, 8-6 MEC) were down three starters and a key bench player due to Covid-19 protocols.
The first half featured seven lead changes and four ties as CU held a 21-17 edge after 10 minutes. But, Alderson-Broaddus (8-9, 6-7 MEC) opened the second quarter on a 10-0 run to go up 27-23. Sophomore guard
Maddie Ratcliff scored four of the next six points in the contest as Concord took a 29-27 edge. And a three-pointer by sophomore guard
Kacie Shaffner at the 1:40 mark of the second quarter gave the Mountain Lions a 32-29 lead.
AB shot 59 percent in the third quarter to go up 57-49 after 30 minutes. The deficit for CU got up to 12 points, 67-55, with 5:55 remaining. However, a 9-2 run from Concord closed the gap to five with 2:44 left. Ratcliff began the run with a three-pointer before sophomore guard
Nakaila Gray capped the run with a transition layup.
The five-point margin was as close as CU would get for the remainder of the contest.
Ratcliff netted a career-best 22 points. Gray tossed in her own career high with 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting. Sophomore guard
Jaisah Smith had nine points, seven assists and no turnovers.
Concord plays hosts to Salem in a non-conference tilt 4:00 p.m. Monday at the Carter Center.
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