WISE – Fourteenth-ranked Coker grabbed the lead midway through the first quarter and held off numerous runs by a very determined UVA Wise team as the Cavs fell to the Cobras 78-68 Saturday afternoon.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Result: #14 Coker 78, UVA Wise 68
Records: UVA Wise (13-11, 10-8 South Atlantic Conference); Coker (20-4, 15-3 SAC)
Location: Wise, VA | David J. Prior Convocation Center
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The game began with Kristynn Knight scoring a layup for the Cobras, assisted by Janay Legagneur.. The Cavs responded with a layup from
Mia Nienaber at 8:59, assisted by
Jalie Ruehling, tying the score at 2. UVA Wise then pulled ahead by four before Coker's Shawnteanna Tillman drained a three-pointer at 7:27, narrowing the score to 6-5.
Caroline Mullins scored on a fast break layup at 6:43, assisted by Ruehling, and had six points when the picked up two quick fouls and missed the rest of the half. Coker used her absence to pull ahead with a late surge, including a jumper from Tillman at 1:08, extending its advantage. The first quarter concluded with the Cobras holding a 23-16 lead over the Highland Cavaliers.
- Coker started the second quarter with a layup by Kamari Thompson, assisted by Kristynn Knight, pushing its lead to 25-20.
Emilea Preece responded quickly for the Cavs with a tip-in at 9:34.
Shelby Higgins then caught fire, scoring a layup at 2:16 and completing a three-point play with 34 seconds remaining.
Alissa Cheek closed the quarter by making three consecutive free throws as she was fouled while shooting a desperation three-pointer with 0.9 seconds left, narrowing the deficit to 39-34 by the end of the first half.
- Coker maintained its lead in the third quarter with efficient shooting, going 8-for-13 from the field, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. Ja'Kea Brunson's three-pointer at 8:08 expanded the Cobras' advantage to 42-34. Mullins responded for UVA Wise with a layup and a jumper, narrowing the gap to 42-38. However, Tillman contributed significantly with a pair of free throws and an assist, helping to push Coker's lead to 46-38. Despite a late surge by the Cavs, including a three-pointer by Nienaber, Coker finished the quarter ahead, 58-51, with a fastbreak layup by Yasmine Cook sealing the period.
- In the fourth quarter, Coker held off a determined rally by the Cavs. Mullins led the charge for the Cavs with a layup and a three-pointer, narrowing Coker's lead to 60-56 at the 8:14 mark. Coker responded with a crucial three-pointer by Tillman that pushed the lead back to 65-56 with 5:49 remaining. Despite a late three-pointer by Higgins cutting the deficit to 74-66 with 17 seconds left, Coker closed out the game with Tillman sinking two free throws, ending the contest at 78-68.
GETTING WISE
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Caroline Mullins led the Cavs with 29 points as she hit eleven field goals. Mullins and Tillman are the top two scorers in the SAC, and Tillman used her late free throws to out-duel Mullins 32-29 in this matchup.
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Shelby Higgins tied her career high with eleven points as she was perfect from the field (4-4 FG, 2-2 3FG, 1-1 FT)
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Jalie Ruehling had another solid outing with nine points, five assists, and six rebounds.
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Mia Nienaber also scored nine points and also had two assists, two steals, and two rebounds.
UP NEXT
UVA Wise travels to Tusculum Wednesday evening for a SAC tilt starting at 5:30 p.m. Pioneer Arena has been kind to the Cavs in their last two trips there as UVA Wise won both meetings with a Highland Cavaliers scoring over 40 points.
