Banner Elk, NC – The Emmanuel Women's Basketball team traveled to Banner Elk, NC today to face Lees McRae College in conference action. The Bearcats got out to an early lead, taking a 34-31 lead into the half. Lees McRae pulled away in the fourth quarter to earn the 81-66 win. With the loss, the Lions fall to 11-11 on the season, 6-10 in conference.
The Bearcats took an early 11-6 lead in the first quarter, but buckets from
Natalee Goff and
Kate Jackson made it 16-12, Bearcats with 1:42 to play in the first. Lees McRae closed the quarter with a three-pointer to take a 19-12 lead into the 2
nd quarter.
The Bearcats pushed their lead to double digits early in the 2
nd, leading by 16, 30-14 with 7:12 to play in the 2
nd. Three-pointers from
Carmen Cabello-Rivera and
Jaleia Robinson put the Lions within six points, 30-24 and a layup from
Naomi Roberts and three pointer from Robinson made it 32-29, Bearcats with 2:00 to play before the half. A bucket by Roberts cut the Bearcats lead to a point late in the quarter, but Lees McRae hit a layup to end the quarter leading 34-31.
The Lions quickly tied the game up to start the 3
rd quarter on a three-pointer from
Kate Jackson to make it 34-34. The Lions took their first lead of the game on a tip-in from Goff to make it 40-39 with 6:52 to play in the 3
rd, but the Bearcats answered quickly to retake the lead. Lees McRae pushed their lead to as much as 7 points in the quarter, but the Lions pulled within three points on a jumper from Goff to make it 54-51 with a minute to play in the 3
rd. The Bearcats closed out the quarter on the foul line to take a six-point lead into the final quarter of play, 57-51.
In the fourth, the Bearcats took a 12-point lead early, but the Lions chipped away at it with points from
Lizzie Teasley and Roberts to make it 67-60, Bearcats. Lees McRae responded well to pull back ahead by double digits, closing out the game strong to earn the 81-66 win.
Natalee Goff led the Lions with 22 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists and a steal.
Naomi Roberts added 13 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals and a block.
Next up, the Lions will face King University on Monday at 5PM at the Shaw Athletic Center. It's a WHITE OUT so let's pack the Shaw, wear white, and cheer on our Lions.
For more information on Emmanuel University athletics, visit goeulions.com.