Concord Edged in Battle with Nationally-Ranked Glenville State

ATHENS, W.Va. – The Concord University women's basketball team was defeated by nationally-ranked, fourth-rated Glenville State, 86-81, Saturday afternoon in a Mountain East Conference game at the Carter Center.

After being down by as much as 13 points in the fourth quarter, the Mountain Lions (12-16, 9-13 MEC) cut the deficit to five points, 75-70, after two free throws from junior guard Nakaila Gray with 3:10 remaining. On the ensuing possession by GSU (26-2, 20-2 MEC), Gray came up with a steal, and freshman forward Abbie Smith converted on two more foul shots to get within 75-72.

Glenville State came back with a three-pointer to extend the advantage back to six points. The Mountain Lions traded buckets with GSU, but was unable to keep the Pioneers off the foul line in the final minute.

GSU scored the 14 of the game's first 18 points as it led by 10 halfway through the first quarter. However, Concord closed the quarter on a 17-9 run to get within two, 23-21, after a layup from junior guard Maddie Ratcliff in the closing seconds of the first period.

The Mountain Lions took their first lead of the game with 5:04 remaining in the first half, 29-27, as Ratcliff hit another paint bucket. Glenville State went back ahead 40-37 with 1:52 left in the first half, but a three-point from junior guard Jaisah Smith tied the game at halftime.

After scoring 19 points in the first half, J. Smith finished with 25 points in the game—two off her career high as she added four assists. Ratcliff and A. Smith both netted 13 points with A. Smith scoring all 13 of her points in the second half. Gray added 11 points and eight rebounds as she just missed her second straight double-double.

CU shot 52.6 percent from the field (30-for-57), but Glenville State made 12 three-pointers in the win.

Saturday was the final home game for seniors Lauryn Avery, Emilee Beggs, Maggie Guynn and Ale Sydnor. Guynn, the program's ninth-leading scorer, finished with nine points.

The Mountain Lions face Notre Dame 12:00 p.m. Wednesday in the MEC Tournament's First Round at WesBanco Arena in Wheeling, West Virginia.