Wilmoth's Big Game Propels Lions Over Pioneers

MARS HILL, N.C. – Cadence Wilmoth posted her third double-double of the season with 20 points and 12 rebounds to help guide the Mars Hill women's basketball team to a South Atlantic Conference win over the visiting Tusculum Pioneers on Wednesday, February 24. The Lions were able to improve to improve to 15-11 overall and 14-7 within conference with the 65-50 win. The Pioneers dropped to 12-12 and 10-11 in the SAC.

Kelsey Espinosa continued her stretch of good performances as she chipped in 14 points and six boards to go along with a pair of steals. Paige Chavis and Ansley Ricker reached the double-digit plateau as well, chipping in 13 and 11 points, respectively. Ricker also grabbed seven rebounds to add to her four assists and two steals.

The Lions shot 23-53 from the field for a 43.4% clip while holding Tusculum to an abysmal 20-65 (30.8%), including 5-23 (21.7%) from behind the arc. MHU also dominated the paint, finishing the game with a 30-22 advantage.

Tusculum got off to a quick start as it drained two straight threes to open up a 6-2 lead. However, Chavis found her stroke from downtown as she was able to knock down a pair of triples to keep the Blue and Gold in the game early. With the Pioneers leading 12-8, a pair of freebies from Wilmoth followed by a smooth jumper in the lane from Ricker ignited a big 13-0 run to give the Lions a 21-12 lead after one.

That run continued to 24-4 to start the second and the Lions found themselves doubling up TC, 32-16, forcing a timeout to regroup from the visitors. The brief hiatus slowed the Lions down just enough for Tusculum to cut the deficit to single-digits at 34-25 following a deep three from Shynese Whitener with just over a minute to play in the half. The Lions led 36-27 heading to the half.

Mars Hill was able to gain control of the game in the opening half, cutting down on its turnovers. After a first quarter that saw seven miscues, the Lions gave the ball away only once in quarter number two.

The Pioneers came out in the third quarter and got to within at 38-32, but back-to-back baskets from Wilmoth and Espinosa extended the lead to double-digits once more, 42-32, heading to the media timeout. MHU used a stingy defense over the next five-plus minutes to blow the game open and take its biggest lead of 55-36 following a steal from Ricker and layup by Lane.

Tusculum made somewhat of a push in the fourth quarter, but Mars Hill took care of business down the stretch to close out the win, 65-50.

The Lions will complete their regular season slate on Saturday, February 27 as they head to Hickory, N.C. to take on conference foe Lenoir-Rhyne. Tipoff for that contest is scheduled for 2 p.m.