WISE – A see-saw affair between UVA Wise and #16 Lincoln Memorial saw the Railsplitters pull ahead late for the 72-66 win Wednesday evening.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Result: UVA Wise 66, #16 Lincoln Memorial 72
Records: UVA Wise (15-12, 12-9 SAC); LMU (23-3, 18-3 SAC)
Location: Wise, VA | Prior Convocation Center
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The first quarter opened with
Madison Looney securing an offensive rebound and converting a tip-in to put the Cavs on the scoreboard.
Caroline Mullins contributed with a fast-break layup, helping the team take the lead. Lincoln Memorial responded with a series of three-pointers, including two from Alexa Smiddy, to keep the game tight.
Alissa Cheek's three-point play, followed by two free throws in the final minute, allowed UVA Wise to hold a slim lead until the Railsplitters' Keiara Anderson hit a fast-break three-pointer with three seconds remaining, giving the visitors a 22-20 edge at the end of the quarter.
- Mullins quickly tied the game with a steal and fast-break layup at 9:49, followed by another fast-break layup by Cheek at 9:09. Lincoln Memorial responded with a layup by Kallie Housley at 7:06, cutting UVA Wise's lead to two. With 13 seconds remaining, Anderson nailed a three-pointer for the Railsplitters, giving them a 35-32 lead heading into halftime.
- In the third quarter, Mullins of the Highland Cavaliers initiated the scoring with a layup assisted by
Mia Nienaber at 9:29, briefly giving the home team a one-point advantage. Kamil Collier of Lincoln Memorial responded with a layup at 8:09, reclaiming the lead for the visitors. Looney's three-pointer at 6:53 narrowed the gap to two points, but the Railsplitters maintained a slim lead. In the final minute, Nienaber hit back-to-back three-pointers, tying the score at 48-48 with 48 seconds left. However, Smiddy secured the lead again for the Railsplitters with two free throws at 28 seconds, ending the quarter with a 50-48 advantage.
- A tense fourth quarter was marked by several lead changes, with both teams showing resilience. Lexi Patty's free throws at 9:14 gave the Railsplitters an early edge, but UVA Wise responded with Mullins' jumper closing the gap to 52-50.
Jalie Ruehling's tip-in tied the game at 56-56, and Cheek's layup briefly gave the Highland Cavaliers the lead. Down the stretch, Lincoln Memorial's Anderson hit a pivotal three-pointer with 33 seconds left, pushing their advantage to four points. Smiddy's free throws with three seconds remaining secured the win for Lincoln Memorial, as UVA Wise's last efforts could not close the gap.
GETTING WISE
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Alissa Cheek led UVA Wise with 20 points as she went 7-14 from the field and 5-5 from the free throw line.
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Caroline Mullins scored 16 points and had nine rebounds.
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Madison Looney had eleven points and eight rebounds.
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Mia Nienaber scored seven points and had five assists.
UP NEXT
UVA Wise will close out the regular season on Saturday when they host Catawba at 2 p.m.
