Late Lions' rally falls short versus UVA Wise
Aaliyah El nets career-high 26 in final game of 2024.
WISE, Va. - The Mars Hill women's basketball team (8-5, 5-4 SAC) was defeated by UVA Wise (6-6, 3-5 SAC) by a score of 80-75 in their 2024 finale on the road.
The Cavaliers led by five after the first quarter, posting 21 points in 10 minutes. Katlin Burger led all players with nine points. The Lions' balanced offensive attack was led by Daisy Gale's four points, followed by Lauren Arnold and Tatum Bowen's three apiece.
UVA Wise extended their lead to 16 at the half, outscoring Mars Hill 20-9 in the second stanza. Macie Ridge led the Cavaliers with six points followed by three apiece from Jalie Ruehling and Emilea Preece. Aaliyah El scored eight of the Lions' nine second quarter points.
Creating more distance in the third, the Cavaliers were led by Sable Burnside's 10 points. Tateyoina Harris led Mars Hill with eight.
The fourth quarter saw a dominant Mars Hill offense take over, netting a game-high 31 points. El led all players with 14 points. Maddie Gillie and Naja Ngongba each added five apiece in the comeback bid, but the 19-point deficit could not be erased as the buzzer sounded.
El led all players with a career-high 26 points. Harris added 12 for the Lions.
Mars Hill kicks off 2025 on the road on January 4 when they face Catawba. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m.
