GREENEVILLE, TN -- UVA Wise dominated Tusculum from wire-to-wire as they pounded the Pioneers 83-46 Wednesday evening in Pioneer Arena. The win was the largest margin of victory by the Highland Cavaliers in the 44-game series.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Result: UVA Wise 83, Tusculum 46
Records: UVA Wise (14-11, 11-8 South Atlantic Conference); Tusculum (2-23, 2-17 SAC)
Location: Greeneville, TN | Pioneer Arena
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The game commenced with
Madison Looney of UVA Wise scoring a jumper just 16 seconds into the first quarter, assisted by
Mia Nienaber. The Cavaliers shot out to the 15-0 lead media timeout. The Pioneers struggled to find their rhythm, missing several attempts and committing numerous turnovers. Angela Gomez finally put Tusculum on the board with a jumper at 4:01, but the Cavs maintained control, leading 21-8 at the end of the first quarter.
- Tusculum struggled offensively in the second quarter, making only 2 of 15 field goal attempts. UVA Wise capitalized on this, with
Kyndra West contributing significantly by assisting on multiple baskets, including a layup by
Katy Hoover at 9:28.
Emilea Preece also added to the lead with a jumper, assisted by Hoover, at 8:24.
Caroline Mullins extended the UVA Wise advantage with a layup at 3:53, following a steal. West then capped off the quarter with a fast-break three-pointer at 1:21, assisted by
Jaci Neubert, giving the Highland Cavaliers a 40-16 lead by the end of the half.
- The Cavs extended their lead over the Pioneers with a strong third quarter, highlighted by effective shooting and defensive plays.
Jalie Ruehling's three-pointer at 8:56, assisted by Looney, set the tone early, pushing the score to 43-18.
Alissa Cheek contributed with a steal and an assist, leading to a fast-break layup by Mullins at 8:33. Despite Tusculum's attempts to close the gap, including a layup by Martina Garofalo, they could never seriously dent the Cavalier advantage. The quarter concluded with Neubert sinking a three-pointer with 12 seconds left, bringing the score to 60-28. The Pioneers managed a last-second layup by Garofalo, ending the quarter at 60-30.
- UVA Wise extended its lead in the fourth quarter with a strong offensive performance, highlighted by four three-pointers and a 23-point quarter. Neubert contributed significantly, hitting two key three-pointers, including one at 6:52, and a layup to push the score to 77-40.
Grace Vyborny played a pivotal role with assists and scoring, including a jumper at 5:42, which further widened the gap. Tusculum struggled to keep pace, despite Julia Szwichtenberg's efforts with offensive rebounds and layups, as the Cavs secured an 83-46 victory.
GETTING WISE
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Jaci Neubert had a career-high eleven points, including a game-high three three-pointers, to go along with two rebounds and two assists.
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Caroline Mullins also had eleven points in limited minutes due to the score. She also pulled down seven rebounds.
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Kyndra West scored eight points, a new career high, and had five assists. Also scoring eight points was
Madison Looney, who also had six rebounds and three assists.
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Alissa Cheek,
Shelby Higgins,
Katy Hoover, and
Emilea Preece had six points apiece.
- Every Highland Cavalier player that played scored.
- The Cavs outrebounded Tusculum 42-36 and hit 49.2 percent from the field for the game, 41.7 percent from behind the arc, and 92.9 percent from the free throw line.
- UVA Wise had 21 assists, the fifth time this season they had 20 or more assists in a game.
- The 37 point lead was the largest margin of victory by UVA Wise in the series, which the Pioneers lead 28-16. Tusculum has won by larger margins twice.
UP NEXT
The Highland Cavaliers will hit the road for the final time in the regular season as they travel to face Anderson on Saturday, Feb. 21. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. in Anderson, South Carolina.
