CENTRAL, SC – The Emmanuel Women's Basketball team traveled to Central, SC to face the Southern Wesleyan University Warriors in conference play. The Lions jumped out to an early lead, but the Warriors responded well to tie the game at 30-30 heading into halftime. The Lions pulled ahead in the third quarter, extending their lead to double digits but a late rally by the Warriors ended regulation with the teams knotted at 69-69. In overtime, the Lions shot 50% from the field to earn the 80-77 win. With the win, the Lions move to 10-4 on the season, 5-3 in conference action.
The Lions jumped out to an early lead, with
Kate Jackson scoring the first six points of the game to make it 6-0, Lions with 7:12 to play in the first. The Warriors responded to tie the game midway through the quarter, but a tip-in by Jackson and a layup by
Lizzie Teasley gave the Lions a 10-6 lead with 2:21 to play in the first. A three-pointer by
Julie Azeltine put the Lions up 13-8 with 50 seconds to go in the quarter, but the Warriors closed the quarter out strong to trail the Lions 13-11 after the first. In the first, the Lions shot 32% from the field (6-19).
The Lions pulled ahead 21-12 in the second quarter behind eight quick points from
Naomi Roberts. The Warriors pulled within four points of the lead, 26-22 with 3:15 to play and closed the quarter out strong to head into break knotted at 30-30. In the quarter, the Lions were 8-15 from the field.
The Warriors took the early lead in the third quarter, but a three-pointer from
Natalee Goff put the Lions up 34-33. The teams traded points and the lead until midway through the quarter when a three-pointer from Teasley put the Lions up 39-38 with 5:52 to play in the quarter. The Lions closed out the third with key plays by Roberts, Teasley and Jackson to give the Lions a 56-48 lead heading into the fourth. The Lions shot 72% from the field in the quarter, connecting on 3-4 from beyond the arc.
The Lions pushed their lead to double digits early in the fourth behind buckets from Teasley and Roberts to make it 60-48, Emmanuel with 9:01 to go. The Warriors answered with a 14-2 run to tie the game at 62-62 with 4:01 to play. The teams traded points and the lead the rest of the way, ending the fourth knotted at 69-69 to force overtime.
In overtime, the Warriors took an early four-point lead, 73-69 but Goff, Roberts and Jackson answered with buckets to give the Lions a 76-75 lead. The Lions closed out the game strong, with a layup and foul shots by Roberts to give the Emmanuel the 80-77 victory.
Three Lions ended the night in double digit scoring, with
Naomi Roberts leading the way in points (27) and rebounds (13) Roberts also picked up 5 assists, 2 steals and a block.
Kate Jackson added 20 points and 6 rebounds and 4 assists on the night, while
Lizzie Teasley contributed 19 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals.
Natalee Goff led the team in assists (6) and steals (3).
Next up, the Lions will host Ferrum on Saturday at 2PM. For more information on Emmanuel University athletics, visit goeulions.com.
