EMORY, Va. – The Emory & Henry University Women's Basketball Team (4-12, 2-8 SAC) led for over 32 minutes against visiting Wingate University (11-5, 6-4 SAC) in South Atlantic Conference play Saturday afternoon, but eventually came up just short. The Bulldogs tallied 29 fourth-quarter points to earn the 76-69 come-from-behind victory.
The Basics
FINAL SCORE – Wingate 76, Emory & Henry 69
LOCATION – Emory, Virginia
VENUE – John Rutledge King Center
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (4-12, 2-8 SAC); Wingate (11-5, 6-4 SAC)
How It Happened
- Emory & Henry began the game firing on all cylinders as the Wasps ran out to a 9-0 lead in the opening 2:35 of action, forcing a Wingate timeout. The Bulldogs settled into the contest and reduced the deficit to 14-10 with 3:13 to play in the opening quarter. The Wasps finished the frame scoring five of the final seven points, capped off by a three from freshman guard Kinley Painter (Johnson City, Tenn.) to take a 19-12 advantage into the second period.
- The Wingate offense came to life to start the second quarter, stringing together a 10-3 run over the first three minutes to tie things up at 22-22. E&H responded with seven consecutive points of their own over the following two and a half minutes to push the margin back out to 29-22. The Bulldogs saw buckets begin to fall through the latter stages of the opening half and a 14-5 run to end the stanza gave them the narrow 36-34 lead after 20 minutes of play.
- E&H immediately retook the lead to kick off the third quarter on the back of buckets by freshman forward Hali Harris (Richmond, Va.) and junior forward Gracyn Hall (Randleman, N.C.) to push them in front 39-36. The third frame was nip and tuck for the majority of play and the score held at 49-47 in favor of the Wasps with 3:06 remaining. Emory & Henry finished the third with a flurry, scoring the final seven points to take a 56-47 margin into the deciding quarter of action.
- The Wasps managed to keep the Bulldogs at arm's length over the first five minutes of the fourth and held on to a 64-58 lead with 5:08 left on the clock. Another run, this of the 7-2 variety, from Wingate saw them draw within just a point at 66-65 at the 3:06 mark. Wingate would take over down the stretch, outscoring the Wasps 11-3 to pick up the road SAC win.
Emory & Henry Leaders
- Junior guard Rhyan Harris (Salem, Va.) led the Wasps with 17 points, seven assists, five rebounds, five steals and a pair of blocked shots. Sophomore guard Tori West (Richmond, Va.) tied her season high with 17 points, three steals, three assists and a rebound.
- Hall finished with 12 points, seven boards, two assists and a steal while Hali Harris posted 10 points, seven rebounds, three steals and a pair of assists.
Wingate Individual Leaders
- Alexandra Merceron recorded a game-high 20 points, eight rebounds and a pair of assists off of the bench for the Bulldogs. Laney Beale added 16 points, eight helpers, five rebounds and a pair of steals.
- Kyleigh Bacon went for 14 points, five rebounds and an assist while Kylie Chavis had eight points, six assists, four rebounds and a steal.
A Deeper Look
- Emory & Henry shot 41.3% (26-for–63) overall and 12-for-33 (36.4%) from beyond the three-point line. The Wasps were 5-for-6 (83.3%) at the charity stripe.
- Wingate went 32-for-73 (43.8%) from the field and knocked down 31.3% (5-for-16) of their attempts from deep. The Bulldogs converted 77.8% (7-for-9) of their free throws.
- WU held a 44-34 advantage on the boards and a big 18-4 margin on second chance points.
- The Wasps committed 24 turnovers that were converted into 19 points by the Bulldogs. Wingate coughed up the rock on 20 occasions and E&H took advantage for 21 points.
- Wingate forced the ball inside, tallying 40 points in the painted area compared to 26 for Emory & Henry.
- The Bulldogs' bench was big for the visitors as they outscored the Wasps' reserves by a 30-8 margin.
- The game saw eight ties and 10 lead changes.
Up Next
- Emory & Henry is back on the road on Wednesday, January 21 when they travel to face off against the Tusculum University Pioneers. Tip is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. from Greeneville, Tennessee.
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