WEST CHESTER, Pa. - - Adalmaryz Rivera-Gomez scored a career-high 19 points, Cynita Webb notched her second double-double in as many games and Hanna Oliver canned five 3-pointers as UVa-Wise gave Jamie Cluesman her first career coaching victory 77-68 over Millersville University on day two of the Carol Eckman Classic.
Millersville was doomed by UVa-Wise's interior presence as the Cavaliers won the battle of the boards 37-to-26 behind Webb's game-high 13 rebounds. Overall, the Maruders surrendered 18 offensive rebounds, six of those were recorded by Webb.
UVa-Wise (1-1) ended the first half on a 9-2 scoring spurt to take a 40-31 lead to intermission. Oliver and fellow guard JK Cummings played a big role in the quick scoring run as each player made a 3-point basket.
The Cavaliers carried the momentum over to the start of the second half as Cluesman's squad saw Ashley Cullen drain a 3-pointer before Webb made back-to-back buckets to push the advantage to 16 at 47-31 with eight minutes to play in the quarter.
Millersville (0-2) never recovered, the lead ballooned to as much as 18 points on a bucket by Rivera-Gomez late in the third quarter.
The Maruders would get within eight points on three occasions in the fourth quarter but, each time UVa-Wise had an answer. A 3-point basket by Oliver with less than 4:30 to play gave the Cavs a 71-60 lead before clutch free throws from Webb and Oliver sealed the deal.
Cluesman's bench paid a pivotal role in her first coaching triumph. In addition to the 19 points from Rivera-Gomez, Alle Moore (5), Ada Stanley (4) and Cummings (3) also entered the scoring column as UVa-Wise enjoyed a 31-to-19 scoring advantage off the bench.
Webb tallied 14 points while Oliver netted 18 points and dished out a career-high eight assists. As a team, the Cavs assisted on 16-of-27 made field goals.
Lauren Lister of Millersville led all players with 24 points while Chandrea Jones-Aryeh added 10 to finish as the only Maruders in double figure scoring.
A day after struggling at the charity stripe and from beyond the arc, UVa-Wise made 13-of-16 free throw attempts and 10-of-24 3-point attempts.
UVa-Wise will be back in action Thursday at King University for a 7 p.m. tip.
