WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – The Concord University women's basketball team was unable to keep pace with West Liberty in the second half of an 87-70 loss Saturday afternoon at the ASRC in a Mountain East Conference tilt.
After West Liberty (15-9, 13-5 MEC) scored 12 of the game's first 18 points, CU (9-14, 7-11 MEC) responded with a 15-6 run to close the first quarter, gaining a 21-18 edge. Freshman forward
Abbie Smith helped pace the early offense for the Mountain Lions as she scored 10 of her 16 points in the first quarter.
Into the second quarter, the teams traded buckets as a three-point play from graduate guard
Maggie Guynn tied the game at 30-30 with 5:45 remaining in the first half. After six straight points from WLU, Concord responded with an 8-2 run to tie the game at 38-38 after two more points from Smith.
However, the Hilltoppers closed the first half on a 6-0 run to lead 44-38 at the intermission.
After West Liberty grew the lead to double digits, the Mountain Lions got to within 54-49 after a layup from graduate forward
Alexis Phillips. But, WLU went on a 13-2 run over the final five minutes of the third quarter.
CU only got as close as 14 points in the final 10 minutes.
Guynn matched Smith in the scoring column as she made five of six shots to start the game. Smith added 12 rebounds for her seventh double-double of the season.
Junior guard
Nakaila Gray netted nine points and fellow junior guard
Jaisah Smith added eight points and five assists. Junior guard
Maddie Ratcliff handed out six assists.
CU held a 46-34 rebounding advantage.
The Mountain Lions play four of their final five games at home, beginning with rival Bluefield State 5:30 p.m. Monday.
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