Central, S.C. – The Warriors fell to the Limestone College Saints in the last Conference Carolinas match-up of the season on Friday evening in a final score of 99-72.

Tatiana Manuel, Kristen Smith, Shelby Gilbert, and Brooke Strickland combined for a total of 36 points in their final collegiate game against the Limestone Saints. These seniors were followed by Aneysa Williams and Jessica Sparks with 6 points apiece. Southern Wesleyan posted a field goal percentage of 30.6% and were 20-33 at the free throw line. Taylor Vinson led the Warriors in assists with two while nine other Warriors contributed one apiece.

Southern Wesleyan posted 45 rebounds in the loss compared to the Saints 44. Tatiana Manuel led the team in rebounds with nine. She was followed by Kristen Smith with seven. Manuel had one block against the Saints. Six Warriors each had a steal in the contest.

Game Vitals

Final: Limestone 99, Southern Wesleyan 72

Records: Southern Wesleyan (6-20 / CC 4-18), Limestone (25-3 / CC 21-1)

How It Happened

The Warriors struck first in the contest on Friday evening against the Limestone Saints with a jump shot from Tatiana Manuel. A layup from Keidra Smith put the Saints on the board. The Saints gained the momentum to lead 15-4. Despite late free throws from Brooke Strickland and Shelby Gilbert, the Warriors were behind 17-10 at the end of the first quarter.

Imani Atkinson scored first in the second quarter for the Saints and Aneysa Williams responded with a free throw to bring the score to 19-11. Kristen Smith and Erika Wesolek both made 3-pointers to battle. Cayse Branyon made a free throw and a layup late in the quarter, but it wasn't enough as the Saints led 46-24 at the half.

The Saints struck first in the third quarter with several back-to-back shots from Keidra Smith, leading 51-24 before a layup from Tomi Sanchez put the Warriors back in it. Strickland made several free throws and shots from Gabrielle Bates put the score at 69-35. 3-pointers from Smith and Jessica Sparks put the Warriors behind at 45-84 going into the fourth quarter.

Gilbert and Shawndre' Young started the final quarter with several made free throws to battle back and trail 50-84. Layups from Manuel, Bates, and Gilbert were able to give the Warriors some momentum. Despite the late 3-pointers from Sparks and Williams, the Saints came out on top and won 99-72.

Senior Night

Southern Wesleyan celebrated their nine seniors after the game on Friday night.  They lead off recognizing team manager, Anna Clare Wade.  Anna Clare Wade is majoring in Sports Management and will be graduating in May of 2017.  She plans on working in the recreational field and hopes to work with individuals with special needs.  

Tatiana Manuel is majoring in Criminal Justice and will be graduating in December of 2017.  She plans on starting a career as a police officer after graduation.  Manuel is followed by Taylor Vinson who is majoring in Mass Communication.  Vinson plans to continue her education by going to graduate school.  Erika Wesolek is majoring in Sports Management and Recreation.  She is plans to work in athletic training or become a strength and conditioning coach after graduation.  Gabrielle Bates follows Wesolek and is majoring in Sports Management.  She hopes to continue her education at Liberty University's Masters Program in Public Health after graduation from SWU.

Cayse Branyon is a four-year player for the Warriors graduating with a degree in Criminal Justice.  Branyon plans to go into law enforcement when she graduates from Southern Wesleyan.  Branyon was followed by Kristen Smith who is majoring in Criminal Justice.  Smith plans to go into either law enforcement or work for the Department of Natural Resources.  She hopes to one day become a game warden for the DNR.  Brooke Strickland follows Smith and will graduate with a degree in exercise science.  Strickland plans to start working in cardiac rehab and go to graduate school for occupational therapy.  The last senior of the evening was Shelby Gilbert.  Gilbert will graduate with a degree in Sports Management and will then continue to work on her Masters of Science in Management and Leadership.  She will then graduate with her Masters degree in December of 2017.