ETSU 86, Morehead State 77
MOREHEAD, Ky. – The ETSU women’s basketball team has now strung together four-consecutive wins for the first time since Jan. 29, 2011 with an 86-77 road victory against the Morehead State Eagles on Monday afternoon inside Johnson Arena.
With the win, ETSU improves to 7-4 on the season -- and are undefeated in the month of December -- while Morehead State drops to 4-6 on the year.
In front of an energized crowd featuring over a thousand kids from local elementary schools on Education Day, both teams matched the enthusiasm by starting the game with high-octane, fast-paced action. Baskets were traded through the first three minutes including junior guard Chandler Christopher scoring ETSU’s first seven points. Back-and-forth competition continued throughout the first half of the opening period before Tianna Tarter got going on the offensive end. Between the nine and seven minute marks, the freshman point guard splashed home three three-pointers to put the Bucs ahead 35-28. An MSU lay-in from Almesha Jones narrowed the gap to 40-34 with four minutes to go in the opening period before ETSU went on an 8-0 run over the next four minutes to pull ahead by a first-half high 14 points, 48-34. A couple late conversions from the Eagles on the offensive end brought the score to 48-39 going into halftime.
Not to be outdone by her backcourt mates, Shamauria Bridges began to really impact the game in the second half on the offensive end. The sophomore guard scored eight points in the first nine minutes of the period to help thwart -- along with the help of her teammates -- Morehead rallying attempts. Christopher again got involved with the team’s hot shooting behind the arc with a pair of triples between the nine and six minute marks. Over the next four minutes, the Eagles did not get closer than 12 points until MSU’s Maiki Viela nailed a three-pointer seconds before the final buzzer to bring the final score to 86-77.
In total, Christopher scored a career-high 20 points and was joined in double-figures by three of her teammates. Bridges added 19 points – 11 of which in the second half – and splashed home a career-high tying five three-pointers. Freshman Tarter posted 17 points including season-bests of four made trifectas and seven assists, while Serena Clark tallied a near double-double of 13 points and nine rebounds. For Morehead, four players were also in double-figures with senior guard Almesha Jones leading the way with a game-high 24 points.
As a team, the Bucs knocked down 14 three-pointers; just one shy of tying an ETSU women’s basketball record. The Blue & Gold shot the ball from the field a bit better than its 45 percent season average at 49 percent and rained down a season-best 54 percent (14-of-26) from behind the arc. The Bucs also notched a season-high 24 assists on 32 made field goals and turned 12 offensive rebounds into 14 second-chance points.
The Eagles shot it at a better clip than ETSU at 51 percent, but lacked in made field goals and attempts (27-of-53). MSU was not as efficient as its opponent from three-point range at 47 percent (8-of-17), but did get the free throw line more frequently and converted at a proficient rate (15-of-20). In addition, Morehead held an advantage in the paint, 34-28, and converted 16 Buccaneer miscues into 19 points.
The Bucs will begin action in the 2014 UNCW Seahawks Hampton Inn Christmas Invitational with a matchup against host UNC Wilmington on Friday, Dec. 19, at 11:30 a.m. inside Trask Coliseum.
Radford 60, Wofford 59
RADFORD, Va. – Despite 24 points from Jordan Frazier, the Wofford College women’s basketball team dropped a tough loss to Radford in the Dedmon Center, 60-59, on Monday night.
The Terriers had a shot to win the game, trailing by just one point, with 26.1 seconds remaining on the clock. With 17 seconds left on the clock, Frazier tried to seal the game with a three, but was rejected by Radford’s Jordynn Gaymon. Junior Khadijah Joyner grabbed the offensive board, allowing the Terriers to reset. Frazier attempted another three, missing again. The ball hit a Highlander’s shoe, rolling out of bounds, giving Wofford (3-6) one last opportunity.
The team inbounded the ball to Maria Corella, who caught the ball and shot. The 12-footer looked good, but rimmed out. Junior guard Chanel Stokes grabbed the offensive board and threw the shot back up, but by the time the ball left her hand, the final buzzer already sounded.
The lead changed six times throughout the course of the game, with Wofford leading by as many as four at one point in time. The Terriers outscored the Highlanders in the second half, 29-28, but their effort in the last 20 minutes was not enough.
Frazier led the Terriers’ scoring efforts, netting 24 points shooting 9-of-27 from the field. The junior sunk 2-of-12 shots from beyond the arc and scored 4-of-5 tries from the free throw line. Corella was the only other Terrier to score in double figures. The sophomore guard scored 12 points going 4-of-11 from the field and converting both of her free throw attempts. Joyner and classmate Ashton Fleming each grabbed a team-high eight rebounds.
Ayana Avery was nearly unstoppable for Radford (3-6). The senior scored 25 points for the Highlanders, shooting 9-of-16 from the field and 5-of-9 from 3-point range. She knocked down 2-of-3 from the free throw line as well. While no other Highlander scored in double figures, seven other team members scored during the 40 minutes.
The two sides ended the matchup dead even in points in the paint (22) and points scored off the fast break (6). Wofford earned more off of turnovers (23-15), while Radford scored more on second chance opportunities (14-9).
The first half was a tug of war throughout, with Frazier and Avery highlighting the show. Radford led by as many as six, but took only a two point lead into the half, 32-30. It seemed as if every time Avery scored, Frazier responded and vice versa. Avery ended the first 20 minutes with 16 points, Frazier with 12.
The Highlanders stormed into the second half, taking a nine point lead with 11:33 remaining. Frazier then manufactured a run, dropping seven of the nine necessary points to draw the teams even once again. Five more points from Corella helped the Terriers late, but the team couldn’t make the final push to overcome the Big South foe.
The Terriers will take back to the floor on Thursday night where they will look to bounce back against the Tribe of William & Mary. The two sides tip at 6:00 p.m.