PEMBROKE, NC - The women's basketball team played a thriller against the No. 5 seed UNC Pembroke Braves in the second round of the Conference Carolinas Championship on Monday evening. The back and forth game was narrowly won by the No. 8 seed Lions, 69-67 in a dramatic finish.
First Quarter:
The game was tight from the get go as the teams tied at 15 just six minutes in. A late burst by the Braves propelled them on a 6-1 run to close out the opening quarter with UNCP on top by five, 21-16.
Second Quarter:
The Lions shot just 29% from the field in the second quarter (4-14) including 0-3 from beyond the arc. The Braves went 5-13 (38%) from the field and 2-6 (33%) from three. However, the Lions were 7-10 from the free throw line while the Braves didn't score from the stripe, resulting in the Lions winning the quarter, 15-12. The Braves still maintained a narrow lead at the break though, 33-31.
Third Quarter:
The lead continued to trade hands, with the Lions and Braves going shot-for-shot for the first seven minutes. However, trailing 43-44, the Lions closed the quarter on an 11-5 run, giving Emmanuel a five point advantage heading into the final 10 minutes, 54-49.
Fourth Quarter:
The final quarter was a thrilling ten minutes of basketball. The Lions led by eight with seven and a half minutes remaining, but nine consecutive points for the Braves over the next three minutes put the Braves on top, 58-57. After getting fouled at the 3:30 mark, junior Jazmin Allen converted both free throws, putting Emmanuel back in the lead. The teams then traded layups, with junior Jeanetta Elder taking it to the rim for her 20th point of the game. Two more layups for the Braves and they led by three, 64-61, with 1:18 on the clock. Allen then went to the line once more, again sinking both free throws and pulling the Lions within a point. After getting a stop on defense, sophomore Sydney Wyatt was the next Lion to come in clutch at the charity stripe. Her 2 for 2 effort put her at 16 points on the day. On the next possession, senior Lexie Sengkhammee stole the ball in the paint and then got intentionally fouled with 30 seconds on the game clock. Sengkhammee became the next Lion with ice in her veins, draining both attempts at the line to make the score 67-64 Emmanuel. With 19 seconds remaining, Tiara Williams knocked down a three pointer for the Braves, knotting things up at 67 with the shot clock off. At the top of the key, Allen swung to Sengkhammee, who then made a perfect pass underneath to Wyatt. The sophomore then took the ball left, laying it in with 1.6 seconds remaining for a thrilling game-winner. However, the Braves had one more chance on the other end. They pulled up for a mid-range jumper at the buzzer, but Elder swatted the attempt for her third block of the evening, sealing the game and extending Emmanuel's season as they upset the No. 5 seed Braves, 69-67.
Clean defense was key for the Lions in closing out the victory. Allen, Elder, and Wyatt, the three leading scorers for the Lions, all played the final five minutes of the game with four fouls. Each of them managed to avoid fouling out, proving key in the dramatic victory.
Jeanetta Elder led the way for the Lions, finishing with 20 points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2 steals. Sydney Wyatt followed right behind with 18 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists. Jazmin Allen finished with 17 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists. Elder and Wyatt both went a perfect 6-6 from the charity stripe, while Allen converted 7 of 8 from the line.
Tonight's victory advances Emmanuel to the quarterfinal round in which they will face No. 4 Chowan University on Friday, March 4. The contest will take place at Wofford College in Spartanburg, SC.
For more on Emmanuel College athletics, visit goeclions.com.
