BUCKHANNON, W.Va. - The Concord University women's basketball team used a 45-point second half to defeat West Virginia Wesleyan 66-58 in a Mountain East Conference matchup Wednesday evening inside the Rockefeller Center.
After trailing 23-21 at the halftime break and giving up a 9-2 scoring run to WVWC (2-8, 0-6 MEC) to begin the third quarter, CU (6-6, 3-3 MEC) broke off a 20-4 scoring spurt to take a 43-36 lead into the final frame of action.
During the third quarter run, the Mountain Lions were able to draw contact and get to the free throw line. Concord converted seven free throws in the final five minutes of the third quarter and shot 16-for-18 (88.9 percent) in the contest.
Graduate forward
Alexis Phillips scored six points in the third quarter, while senior guard
Jaisah Smith and junior guard
Skylar Davidson added four points each. Additionally, Concord forced seven WVWC turnovers in the third quarter. The Mountain Lions never trailed past the 2:23 mark in the third quarter after two free throws from Smith to push CU ahead 36-35. Graduate forward
Nakaila Gray completed a three-point play on the next offensive trip to push the lead to two possessions.
Gray knocked down a three-pointer with 8:35 remaining in the fourth quarter to give Concord its biggest lead of the game at 49-38. The Mountain Lions shot 53.8 percent from the floor in the final frame with Smith scoring eight of her team-best 17 points in the quarter, as held on for its first victory since the winter break, 66-58.
Sophomore forward
Abbie Smith scored seven points in the first quarter to give CU a 15-9 edge after the first 10 minutes of play. But, the Bobcats outscored the Mountain Lions 14-6 in the second quarter to take the slim advantage into the locker room.
J. Smith's 17-point performance marks her eighth straight game scoring in double figures for the Mountain Lions. A. Smith netted 13 points, shooting 6-for-11 from the floor. Gray and freshman guard
Ana Young scored nine points each and added three three-point buckets. Phillips led Concord with eight rebounds and Davidson picked up eight points, seven assists, and five steals.
The Mountain Lions return to the Carter Center Saturday to face Davis & Elkins in a Mountain East Conference matchup starting at 2:00 p.m.
