Women's Basketball Suffers Setback To Wingate

WINGATE, N.C. – The Mars Hill women's basketball team dropped a crucial South Atlantic Conference matchup to the Wingate Bulldogs on Monday, February 08. The Lions fall to 11-10 overall and 10-6 within the conference while Wingate improves to 12-8, 9-7.

Ansley Ricker led the way for an offense that managed only 29% shooting in the first half as she poured in a game-high 20 points. Cadence Wilmoth chipped in 18 points and those were the only two members of the Lions to reach double digits on the night. Paige Chavis dished out seven assists and Kelsey Espinosa and Genice Lane pulled down five boards apiece.

The Bulldogs wasted no time opening the match, connecting on their first six shot attempts and building a 10-4 with three minutes gone in the first quarter. That lead quickly grew to 15-6 heading into the media timeout following a three from the right wing from Courtney Robinson. After the stoppage Wingate continued to make baskets growing its lead to 24-10 after one.

The second quarter was one to forget for the Lions as they were only able to muster a total of six points during the ten minutes of play while WU continued to scorch the nets. The Bulldogs used a 26-6 second to build a massive lead of 50-16 at the intermission. Wingate built the lead by shooting 68% from the floor and outscoring the Lions 32-8 in the paint.

Mars Hill tried to cut into the big lead starting the third quarter using a 10-2 run to narrow the gap to 52-26 after a bucket from Ricker at the 7:26 mark. After three quarters of play MHU had made a dent in the lead and trailed 65-45 heading into the final frame.

However, a 12-4 run to open the last stanza from the Bulldogs put a stop to any idea of another epic comeback for the Lions. The Lions would get as close as 23 at 77-54 with three minutes remaining, but that would be as close as they would get, falling to the Bulldogs, 79-55.

The Lions will be back in action on Wednesday, February 10 as they welcome Brevard to Stanford Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.