HICKORY, NC – UVA Wise had a comeback for the ages fall short as they came from seventeen points down in the fourth quarter to tie the game with twenty-fifth ranked Lenoir-Rhyne at 86-86 with ten seconds left, only to see the Bears score in the last two seconds to escape with the 89-86 win.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Result: #25 Lenoir-Rhyne 89, UVA Wise 86
Records: UVA Wise (13-9, 10-6 South Atlantic Conference); Lenoir-Rhyne (18-4, 14-2 SAC)
Location: Hickory, NC | Shuford Arena
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The teams traded baskets for about half of the quarter before the Bears surged ahead for a 15 point lead with 1:56 remaining.
Caroline Mullins hit a basket and a free throw for three of her seven points in the first quarter to cut the L-R lead to 25-13 at the end of the period.
- In the second quarter, Lenoir-Rhyne maintained their lead over the Cavs, outscoring them 23-19. Aaliyah El opened the quarter with two successful free throws, contributing to her team's scoring efforts early on. Mullins was active for the Cavs, scoring a layup and adding two free throws at the 7:02 mark.
Mia Nienaber hit a three-pointer and had multiple trips to the free-throw line down the stretch, and
Alissa Cheek also scored three points late but UVA Wise ended the quarter trailing by 16 points.
- The Bears maintained a steady lead over the Cavaliers throughout the third quarter, despite a strong offensive effort from the Cavs.
Madison Looney and Mullins contributed significantly to UVA Wise's scoring with eight points from Looney and back-to-back three-pointers by Mullins, bringing the score to 44-56 at 6:20. The Bears ended the quarter ahead, 72-57, with Ralee Bare converting free throws in the final moments.
- The final quarter saw a fierce battle as the Cavs mounted a furious comeback against the Bears. Emilia Preece sparked a 13-2 run with her three-pointer at the 7:15 mark.
Alissa Cheek's three-pointer at 3:22 cut the deficit to six, and
Shelby Higgins' free throws brought the visitors closer, making it 74-80 with under three minutes remaining. The Cavs later cut it to three points before the Bears responded to make it 84-79 with 1:05 left. With just 10 seconds left, Mullins tied the game at 86 with a layup, but after a timout El responded for the Bears with a jumper that took a home lucky bounce and went in at the two-second mark to regain the lead. El sealed the victory with a free throw, concluding the game 89-86 in favor of Lenoir-Rhyne.
GETTING WISE
- For the second game in a row
Alissa Cheek had a career high in scoring as this time she went for 23 points, including three three-pointers and going 9-12 from the free throw line. Cheek also had three assists and drew an impressive nine fouls.
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Caroline Mullins led all scorers with 26 points and nine rebounds.
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Jalie Ruehling added in six points and also had nine rebounds. She also dished out a game-high six assists.
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Madison Looney scored 14 points and had three rebounds.
UP NEXT
The Highland Cavaliers will hop over the mountain to Meadowview Wednesday evening for their second meeting of the season with Emory & Henry. The Cavs took the first meeting 69-60 in Wise December 10th. Since the Wasps joined the SAC in 2023, UVA Wise has won six of their seven meetings.
