Mars Hill drops first game of 2018 at home in SAC action
The Mars Hill women’s basketball team opened 2018 with a 98-68 loss against Tusculum in Stanford Arena Wednesday evening. Brooke Vilcinskas led the Lions with 15 points.
MARS HILL, N.C. – The Mars Hill women's basketball team opened 2018 with a 98-68 loss against Tusculum in Stanford Arena Wednesday evening. Brooke Vilcinskas led the Lions with 15 points.
Mars Hill battled tough in the first period against the Pioneers, entering the second only trailing by seven points. Trading several baskets during the middle portion of the frame, Tusculum's early lead held true and gave them the edge entering the second.
Tusculum's offense exploded in the second period, led by Jalia Arnwine and Sydney Wilson. The Pioneers opened the frame on a 14-2 run in the opening three minutes. Arnwine went 3-of-6 from the field for seven points. Wilson, who exited the contest midway in the first period with an apparent ankle injury, returned to sink two 3-pointers and give her a game-high 12 points entering the half. She shot 4-of-8 from beyond the arc and the Pioneers outscored the Lions 31-10 in the second stanza.
The Lions trailed by as many as 30 points and entered the second half down 56-28. Mariah Johnson had 10 points to lead the Lions.
Vilcinskas doubled her first half scoring in the third period, knocking down 10 points to lead all Lions' players. The freshman from Marshall, N.C. went 3-of-4 from the field and 4-of-5 from the free throw line in a more evenly played period. Tusculum ultimately came away with the one point advantage, 24-23, despite a more complete effort from the Lions.
The final frame saw a similar result with the Lions outscored 18-17, falling to the Pioneers by a 98-68 final. The loss marks the Lions 12th straight.
Wilson led all players with 19 points, shooting 6-of-11 from beyond the arc. Martoria Patton and Maddie Sutton each pulled down 11 rebounds and chipped in seven points. Mia Long had a double-double, scoring 13 points and adding 11 assists.
Alexus Grubbs matched Long with a double-double of her own, recording 13 points and 11 rebounds. Mariah Johnson ended the contest with 13 points, going 7-of-8 from the free throw line. Shayla Smith went a perfect 4-of-4 from the field for eight points while pulling down three rebounds.
Mars Hill drops to 1-13 (0-6 SAC) as Tusculum improves to 9-3 (4-2 SAC).
The Lions take on Queens Saturday, January 6 in a matinee contest inside Stanford Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.