WISE – A strong defensive effort by UVA Wise that held the Wolves to just 15 made field goals powered the Highland Cavaliers past Newberry for the 74-43 win on a cold and snowy Friday evening.
The rare Friday game in January happened because of the winter storm moving in, but the program's first-ever season sweep of Newberry warmed the Cavs fans who braved the weather to support their team. More importantly, it moves the team into a tie for fifth-place in the South Atlantic Conference standings heading into the final month of the season.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Result: UVA Wise 74, Newberry 43
Records: UVA Wise (12-8, 9-5 SAC); Newberry (11-10, 5-9 SAC)
Location: Wise, VA | David J. Prior Convocation Center
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The game began with
Madison Looney scoring two quick baskets for UVA Wise, establishing an early 4-0 lead. Looney later added two free throws to her tally as part of a 6-0 run, Newberry struggled offensively, managing only nine points in the period, largely thanks to Jada Brown's efforts on the boards and a successful tip-in.
Caroline Mullins and
Jalie Ruehling combined for six points apiece to help UVA Wise shoot out to the 20-9 lead after one quarter. The home team demonstrated efficient shooting, converting 8 of 13 attempts, while the Wolves were limited to 4 of 19 from the field.
- UVA Wise dominated the second quarter against Newberry, outscoring them 22-7.
Emilea Preece got the snowball rolling with a jumper at 9:34 and a 3-pointer at 8:12, both assisted by teammates
Kyndra West and
Alissa Cheek respectively. A key defensive play came from Mullins, who blocked a shot at 5:21.
Shelby Higgins hit a crucial 3-pointer at 3:40, extending the lead to 21 points. Newberry struggled offensively, with Jada Brown sinking a layup at 2:12, but ultimately, the half ended with UVA Wise holding a substantial 42-16 advantage.
- Jada Brown of Newberry made an impact early in the second half with a tip-in at 9:31, before Looney responded for the Cavs with a jumper at 7:57. Both teams went cold from the field in the third quarter, with the Cavs shooting 23.1 percent to Newberry's 17.6 percent. Ryann Hernandez of the Wolves sank two free throws at 5:31, bringing the score to 46-22.
Mia Nienaber contributed to UVA Wise's strong finish with two successful free throws at 1:54 that broke an a six minute scoring drought from the field, and
Alissa Cheek added a layup and free throw at 1:07, extending the lead to 52-26. Cheek closed the half with a 3-pointer at the 3-second mark, assisted by Mullins, concluding the period with a 55-26 advantage for the Highland Cavaliers.
- In the final quarter, the Cavs maintained a steady lead to secure a 74-43 victory over Newberry. The Wolves' Marykate Kent scored first with a three-pointer at 9:42, but the Cavs weathered the storm and extended their lead to over 30 points. Nienaber facilitated with an assist to Higgins for a three-pointer at the 6:15 mark, while
Jaci Neubert added a fast-break layup, followed by a free throw at 1:04. Newberry's Reghan Williams hit a late three-pointer, but the Highland Cavaliers' defense and strategic free-throw shooting sealed the outcome and the season sweep for UVA Wise.
GETTING WISE
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Alissa Cheek had eleven points, three assists, and two rebounds.
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Madison Looney also had eleven points while grabbing three rebounds and dishing out two assists.
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Caroline Mullins scored ten points in addition to blocking three shots and pulling down three rebounds.
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Mia Nienaber had a solid all-around game with seven points, five rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal.
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Jalie Ruehling scored eight points, including a pair of key three-pointers, and also had a team-high nine rebounds and two assists.
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Emilea Preece and
Shelby Higgins also added in eight points apiece.
- As a whole, UVA Wise shot 46.3 percent from the field and 35.3 percent from three-point range while holding the Wolves to 22.1 percent from the field and 18.8 percent from behind the arc. The Wolves out-rebounded UVA Wise 45-42, mainly through an impressive 19 rebound effort from Jada Brown.
UP NEXT
Carson-Newman comes to Wise Wednesday evening for a 5:30 p.m. SAC tilt on the Quillen Court. The Eagles enter the game tied for the SAC lead following an 87-60 shellacking of Coker earlier today in Holt Fieldhouse.
