WISE – The Cavalier women's basketball team (9-11, 5-7 SAC) exacted revenge over its Southwest Virginia rival Emory & Henry (9-11, 4-8 SAC) Wednesday night in an 81-67 victory.
The Cavs showcased an offensive clinic put together by a quartet of scorers in double figures.
Junior guard Sable Burnside had a game-hig 22 points, while adding five rebounds and a career high seven assists.
Burnside has reached double figures in three straight games and four of the last five for the Cavs.
Junior forward Katlin Burger recorded her 10th double-double of her career with 20 points and 11 rebounds in the win. Burger is averaging 15 points and 12 rebounds over the last three games. Her 20 points Wednesday night gave Burger her third 20-point game this season.
Freshman guard Sarah Burton added 14 points and seven rebounds while fifth-year guard Caitlyn Ross contributed 14 points and five assists.
The Cavs started the game with an impressive 14 points in the first five minutes to take an early 14-5 lead. All 16 of UVA Wise's opening points in the game came in the paint, many on easy layups after breaking down the Emory & Henry press.
After one quarter of play, the Cavs led comfortably 20-9. However, after conceding a 15-point, fourth quarter lead the last time they played Emory & Henry, the Cavs knew they were far from comfortable.
History would repeat itself in the second quarter as Emory & Henry stormed back to outscore UVA Wise 21-15 in the second quarter.
The Cavs went into the locker room with a 35-30 lead at halftime.
Emory & Henry matched it's five-point, halftime deficit by outscoring the Cavs 25-20 in the third quarter, sending both teams into the fourth quarter with a brand new ballgame all tied at 55.
The fourth quarter saw the two teams remain even until UVA Wise went on a 12-0 run to lead 70-58. Ross and Burnside connected on back-to-back threes which Burger followed up with a pair of buckets herself.
UVA Wise maintained a double-digit from the majority of the remainder of the game. In the final minute, with Emory & Henry out of options but fouling the Cavs, UVA Wise went 6-for-6 at the line to seal the 14-point victory.
The Cavs outscored the Wasps 26-12 in the final quarter.
It was a team effort that helped lead UVA Wise to its second consecutive win. The Cavs finished the night with 26 assists on 32 made field goals. 26 assists tied a season high as a team for the Cavs and it's the third time UVA Wise accomplished such a feat this season.
The Cavs went 32-of-64 (50 percent) from the floor, their third-highest shooting performance this season.
Now the Cavs head back on the road to take on Mars Hill (10-11, 4-7 SAC) on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 2 p.m.
