WINGATE, NC – In one of those "last one with the ball" type of games that featured seven ties and ten lead changes, a three-point UVA Wise basket to tie the game late fell short but the Cavs scored on an offensive rebound to cut it to 66-65. In the end Wingate ran out the clock and held on for the South Atlantic Conference win Friday afternoon in Cuddy Arena.
The game was moved up 22 hours due to the severe winter weather forecast for the region this weekend.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Result: Wingate 66, UVA Wise 65
Records: UVA Wise (10-8, 7-5 SAC); Wingate (12-6, 7-5 SAC)
Location: Wingate, NC | Cuddy Arena
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Wingate's Laura Montiel scored following a steal to put Wingate ahead early, but the Highland Cavaliers responded with
Jalie Ruehling hitting two consecutive three-pointers to take an early 6-2 lead. The teams exchanged baskets before UVA Wise pulled ahead, with
Alissa Cheek scoring multiple times in the paint to contribute to their run.
Emilea Preece's jumper, assisted by Cheek, capped off the scoring for the Cavs as they ended the first quarter with an eight-point advantage.
- UVA Wise led for the entire second quarter, but the Bulldogs gained ground over the period. Wingate's Laney Beale hit a three-pointer at 8:53, assisted by Kylie Chavis, open the quarter. The Cavs responded with a three-pointer from
Alissa Cheek at 8:31, which was assisted by
Jalie Ruehling. Later, Kyleigh Bacon made consecutive layups for the Bulldogs, narrowing the gap to 28-25 at 5:58. WU would never get closer than two points, and
Izzy Proffitt's three-pointer with 54 seconds left extended the Highland Cavaliers' lead to 36-31 at the half.
- Montiel's scoring, combined with Chinya Isaac's back-to-back three-pointers at 1:52 and 1:22, brought the home team to a 50-50 tie. The Cavs responded with
Caroline Mullins' jumper at 0:55, briefly reclaiming the lead. Wingate scored a layup with 21 seconds remaining to tie the score at 52-52 heading into the final frame.
- The Bulldogs took a narrow lead to open the fourth quarter and maintained a two-possession advantage for several minutes.
Caroline Mullins sparked a late surge for the Cavs, hitting a crucial three-pointer at 2:27 to put her team ahead 63-62. However, Wingate's Laura Montiel responded with a jumper at 2:01, regaining a 64-63 lead. With just 16 seconds remaining, Kylie Chavis extended the Bulldogs' advantage to 66-63 with two free throws. Mullins' offensive rebound and layup in the final second brought the score to 66-65, but UVA Wise ran out of time.
GETTING WISE
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Jalie Ruehling had a solid outing as she scored nine points while going 3-4 from the field (and behind the arc) while also dishing out six assists. She also had three steals, three rebounds, and a block.
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Alissa Cheek had thirteen points and five assists.
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Caroline Mullins led the team with 16 points and nine rebounds. She also had two blocks and two steals.
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Madison Looney flirted with a double-double as she had nine points and eight rebounds.
UP NEXT
The Highland Cavaliers will open up a three game homestand as they host Mars Hill at The Quillen Court in the David J. Prior Convocation Center Wednesday evening at 5:30 p.m. UVA Wise won the earlier meeting at Mars Hill 85-48.
