WISE -- UVA Wise capitalized on a 38-26 advantage in points in the paint to negate the three-point shooting of Emory & Henry as they defeated the Wasps 69-60 in South Atlantic Conference action Wednesday evening on the Quillen Court.
The win improves the Cavs to 3-0 in Conference play. This is the first time UVA Wise has started conference play 3-0 since joining the SAC in 2019 and the first time since 2016-17, when they opened Mountain East Conference play 3-0.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Result: UVA Wise 69, Emory & Henry 60
Records: UVA Wise (6-2, 3-0 SAC); Emory & Henry (3-5, 1-2 SAC)
Location: Wise, VA | David J. Prior Convocation Center
HOW IT HAPPENED
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Madison Looney scored the first points for the Cavaliers with a layup at 8:18. Lyndie Ramsey responded for the Wasps with a three-pointer at 7:24, briefly putting them ahead. The Cavaliers then erupted for a scoring run with key contributions from
Alissa Cheek and
Caroline Mullins, who each added points to establish a lead. The teams exchanged buckets with the Wasps hitting threes to UVA Wise's two pointers, but in the final minute, Mullins converted a jumper at 0:35 and added a free throw to secure a 20-18 lead for the Cavs at the end of the first quarter.
- The second quarter saw a couple of momentum shifts for each side. Rhyan Harris put the Wasps ahead with back-to-back three-pointers, to help spark EHU to a 31-22 lead. However, Mullins sparked a Cavs comeback, draining consecutive three-pointers to regain the lead at 32-31 with 3:43 left.
Jalie Ruehling was instrumental, providing multiple assists and contributing to the scoring, including a key jumper at 2:15, which extended the Cavs' lead. The home team seized control, closing the quarter with a 9-0 run and giving the Cavs a 40-31 advantage at the half.
- The Wasps would buzz back and outscore the Cavs, 18-12, in the third quarter closing the gap significantly. A key factor in this is them grabbing 14 offensive rebounds in the half. A Looney field goal put UVA Wise ahead 42-31 with 8:57 left. Paige Niethammer led a 17-2 charge for the Wasps, beginning with a jumper at 8:22 and a series of successful free throws and layups, including a three-point play at 6:01. Ramsey contributed with a three-pointer at 7:16, further extending the lead. For the Cavs, Looney and
Grace Vyborny each scored key layups, with Vyborny adding a fastbreak layup at 2:55 to maintain a narrow lead. Mullins' two free throws at 1:12 helped the Cavs hold onto a slim 52-49 advantage as the quarter concluded.
- Ruehling was instrumental in helping the Cavs extend their lead, hitting two three-pointers at 8:13 and 6:15, to increase the UVA Wise advantage to nine. Mullins also contributed significantly, adding crucial points late in the game, including a pair of free throws with 21 seconds remaining. As the Cavs heated up the Wasps struggled with their shooting, completing only 3-of-17 field goals in the quarter, while the Cavaliers' defense was bolstered by Mullin's three blocks. UVA Wise went on to claim the 69-60 win, their series-record fourth in a row over Emory & Henry.
GETTING WISE
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Caroline Mullins led all players with 28 points, ten rebounds, and three key blocks, tying her career high. It was her fourth double-double of the season.
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Madison Looney scored 12 points and had a career high four assists.
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Jalie Ruehling tied her career high in points with eleven and set a new career high with seven assists. She also had nine rebounds and two steals.
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Alissa Cheek had five points, five rebounds, and four assists.
- Paige Niethammer led the Wasps with 23 points, while Rhyan Harris chipped in ten points and nine rebounds.
- UVA Wise improved their lead in the all-time series with E&H to 19-15. This is literally the oldest series in Highland Cavalier history, as the Wasps were the Cavs' first opponent in 1969 (after tonight – 20,764 days and 1,417 games ago) when then-Clinch Valley won 30-29 in Greear Gym on Feb. 3, 1969. The two played almost every year until 1984, when the series went on hiatus until the Wasps joined the NCAA Division II (and the SAC) in 2023.
UP NEXT
UVA Wise will host Lenoir-Rhyne this 2 p.m. in a key SAC matchup. This will be the Highland Cavaliers' last home game until January 14.
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