SW Virginia News

LMU HOLDS OFF UVA WISE

Graduate student Saquita Joyner tied for game-high scoring honors with 22 points as Lincoln Memorial University held off UVA Wise for a 59-58 South Atlantic Conference victory inside the Prior Center Wednesday.

UVA Wise (8-5, 1-3 SAC) trailed by one when LMU's (8-4, 3-2 SAC) Geovana Rios went to the line with five seconds to play. The guard would split the two free throws to give the Railsplitters a 59-57 lead.

The Cavaliers would quickly inbound the basketball as Caitlyn Ross would fire a pass to the paint to Leah Kestner. Kestner's shot to force overtime would come up short but, the forward was fouled. Kestner would make the first free throw before the second rimmed out allowing LMU to corral the rebound and preserve the victory.

The 'Splitters led by as many as 11 points in the early moments of the third quarter when Alexa Smiddy made a fast break bucket to make it a 35-24 contest.

Jamie Cluesman's Cavs countered with a scoring spurt to cut the deficit to one at 37-36. The run was highlighted by Nia Vanzant's 3-pointer from the wing.

UVA Wise would get its first lead of the game at the 2:16 mark of the third quarter when Jose Hester scored off a Kaitlin Bailey assist to put the hosts in front 43-41.

The Cavs would take a 48-44 lead to the final period thanks to a 10-of-17 showing from the field in the third quarter.

LMU would regain the lead on a Lauren Flowers triple to make it a 50-48 game with 8:40 to play before a pair of charity shots from Vanzant tied the game. Moments later, Vanzant put UVA Wise back in front with a bucket off a Ross assist.

Trailing 52-50, the 'Splitters would score the next seven points to lead by five at 57-52 with under 40 seconds to play.

Hester would get the Cavs within two with a 3-pointer with under 30 seconds to play before the visitors split a pair of foul shots to make it a 58-55 game with 20 seconds to go.

Hester would be fouled on the following possession and would make both free throws before the end of game sequence allowed LMU to come out on top.

Joyner finished the game with 10 rebounds to go with her game-high 22 points. She was joined in double figure scoring by Smiddy and Flowers who added 11 points each.

Hester matched Joyner with 22 points in what was a new career-high while Vanzant chipped in 15 points in defeat.

The Cavs blocked six shots in the game, Katlin Burger and Kaitlin Bailey blocked two shots each.

UVA Wise will be back in action Saturday at Bluefield State for a non-conference game.

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