WISE – UVA Wise led wire-to-wire as they dismantled Mars Hill 106-59 Wednesday evening in a South Atlantic Conference game on the Quillen Court, setting a new David J. Prior Convocation Center-era scoring record in the process.
The 106 points are the most scored by the women in the Prior Center, surpassing the old record of 102 set in a 102-63 win over Shepherd on Jan. 28, 2016. One common denominator in both games? Coach
Jamie Cluesman, who was the Assistant Coach at Shepherd at that time.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Result: UVA Wise 106, Mars Hill 59
Records: UVA Wise (11-8, 8-5 SAC); Mars Hill (4-16, 1-12 SAC)
Location: Wise, VA | The Quillen Court in the David J. Prior Convocation Center
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The game began with
Madison Looney scoring a jumper at 9:41 to put the Highland Cavaliers on the board first.
Alissa Cheek followed up with a three-pointer, assisted by
Jalie Ruehling, followed later by another basket from Looney to give the Cavs a 7-0 lead. The Lions' Jadyiah Peoples kept them in contention with multiple free throws, but the Cavs extended their lead to 16.
Caroline Mullins contributed significantly with a defensive rebound and a series of successful shots, including a tip-in with 36 seconds left.
Emilea Preece closed the first quarter with a three-pointer at the buzzer, bringing the Cavaliers' lead to 32-16 over Mars Hill.
- The Cavs extended their lead in the second quarter with a strong performance, highlighted by Preece and Mullins. Preece scored early with a layup at 9:17, assisted by Mullins, who then followed with a layup of her own, assisted by Preece, bringing the score to 36-16.
Mia Nienaber added a three-pointer on a fast break, contributing to the team's 20-point quarter. Meanwhile, Mars Hill's Felesia Ondongo hit a three-pointer at 0:26, narrowing the deficit to 52-31 by the end of the quarter. Despite Mars Hill's efforts, the Cavaliers maintained a substantial lead, utilizing efficient ball movement and defensive stops.
- The Highland Cavaliers capitalized on their opportunities in the paint, scoring 12 points from close range in the third quarter. Looney led with impactful plays, including a defensive block at 9:30 and a layup at 9:17, assisted by Nienaber. The Lions responded with a three-pointer from Jadein Haynes at 8:56, narrowing the gap momentarily. However, consistent scoring from Ruehling and Mullins helped the Cavs maintain their lead, finishing the quarter ahead 74-49.
- UVA Wise closed out the win with a final quarter surge, outscoring the Lions 32-10. Preece contributed with a three-pointer at the 9:01 mark to start the surge. The Cavs crept closer and closer to the century mark with free throws until
Brooklyn Frazier hit a three pointer from the top of the key with 1:12 remaining to put UVA Wise over the 100 point mark for the 23rd time in program history.
Jaci Neubert hit a pair of free throwa at the 51 second mark and
Katy Hoover added a layup with 34 seconds left, pushing the score to 106-59.
Shelby Higgins and Abigail Jordan also made notable contributions, each adding key points during the final stretch.
GETTING WISE
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Caroline Mullins led the team with 15 points and shared top rebounding honors with
Madison Looney with six rebounds apiece. She had a solid outing on both sides of the ball as well, notching four assists and four blocks.
- Looney had 14 points in addition to her six rebounds and three blocks.
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Emilea Preece and
Katy Hoover had 13 points apiece, with Hoover setting new career records in points (13) and rebounds (4)
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Shelby Higgins had a career night as well as the freshman scored eleven points.
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Mia Nienaber had 10 points, a career-high seven assists, and five rebounds.
- The Cavs' motto was "pack it up, pack it in, let me begin" offensively as they scored 50 points in the paint, 29 points off of fast breaks, and 12 second chance points.
- UVA Wise out-rebounded the Lions 55-31.
- The eleven total blocks are the most since they had 13 against Carson-Newman on Dec. 10, 2022.
- The 29 assists are the most since the team had 32 vs. King on Nov. 16, 2022.
THE CAVALIER CENTURY
- The 106 points scored are a new Prior Center record, surpassing 102 vs. Shepherd in 2016. The Cavs have only surpassed the century mark four times in the building since it opened in the 2011-12 season.
- 106 points tie for the eighth-most points scored by a UVA Wise women's basketball team in a game. They also mark the tenth time the Cavs have reached 100 points or better at home.
- The most points scored by UVA Wise on their home court were 112 in a 112-48 win over Knoxville College in Greear Gym on Nov. 30, 1991. In that game the Cavs were led by All-American Wanda Slone's 22 points, while future Highland Cavalier coach Rachel Clay had 21 and Paula "Cricket" Adams scored 19.
- The most points scored by the Highland Cavs all-time are 115 in a 115-97 overtime game at Alice Lloyd on Dec. 6, 1978. Kathy Kilgore scored 38 points and Sharon Morris had 29 to lead Clinch Valley to the win. Alice Lloyd also features in the most points scored in a loss by UVA Wise as the Eagles beat the Cavs 107-104 in overtime on Nov. 3, 2009 in Pippa Passes, Kentucky.
UP NEXT
UVA Wise hosts Newberry in a Saturday SAC tilt. The game time has been moved up because of the snow forecast and is currently set for Noon. UVA Wise beat Newberry 45-32 back on Dec. 6.
