ATHENS, W.Va. – The past calendar year for Concord University Athletics have been full of memorable accomplishments, unforgettable games and moments and record-setting players and coaches.
From December 22 through December 31, the CU Sports Information Department will countdown the top 10 moments of 2023 in Concord Athletics.
The top 10 countdown has been reserved for team success, record-breaking performances and milestone games thus far. Today, the countdown focuses on the best play from 2023: a clutch three-point shot from
Nakaila Gray of women's basketball in the MEC Tournament.
The Mountain Lions opened up the 2023 MEC Tournament with a win over Notre Dame to advance to the quarterfinal round where they met West Virginia State, a team Concord had defeated eight days prior at home, 82-71. Despite the victory, on paper CU was still a heavy underdog against the second-seeded Yellow Jackets in the MEC Tournament.
Once again, the Maroon and Gray found success against the intense full-court pressure that West Virginia State employs as it led 40-33 at halftime. CU still led 57-49 after three quarters. However, a fourth-quarter run by WVSU pushed Concord to the brink of elimination. Down 73-70 with eight seconds left to go, the Mountain Lions were struggling to get a shot off. Enter Gray.
A deflected pass ended up in the hands of
Maddie Ratcliff at the top of the key who quickly swung the ball to Gray on the left wing for a game-tying three-pointer attempt with less than two seconds remaining.
The Mountain Lions outlasted West Virginia State in overtime to win 86-83, making the program's third conference tournament semifinal appearance in the last five seasons.
Gray's shot was viewed by more than 12,000 times on CUMountainLions Twitter (X) on March 2. The play would go to be win MEC Play of the Year.
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