Central, SC – Southern Wesleyan challenged the Lees-McRae Bobcats early before falling in a 59-51 final score on Tuesday evening.

The Warriors shot 33.9% from the field in the loss.  Amy Soumare picked up a double-double as she led the Warriors with 12 points and 12 rebounds.  Soumare was followed by Halee Morrison with nine points and six rebounds.  Three Warriors posted three assists during the game.  Tristen Berry had two blocks and Soumare led the team with three steals.
 

Game Vitals

Final: Lees-McRae 59, Southern Wesleyan 51

Records: Southern Wesleyan (1-12 / CC 1-11) Lees-McRae (7-6 / CC 7-6)


 
How It Happened

Lees-McRae took the first point of the game on a layup in the paint by Malikah Meyers, however the Warriors tied the game up on good free throw shots by Sasha Schoenborn.  The Bobcats continued to pressure the Warriors with a jump shot by Destiny Johnson.  However, a layup by Tristen Berry allowed the Warriors to tie the game up 4-4.  Lees-McRae pushed ahead, but the Warriors stayed within three points on baskets by Amy Soumare.

Halee Morrison kicked off the second quarter with a jump shot off a pass from Caroline Reese to allow the Warriors to tie the game 13-13.  A second basket by Morrison and then a layup by Soumare allowed Southern Wesleyan to take a 17-13 point advantage over Lees-McRae.  Southern Wesleyan took an eight point lead on a 3-pointer by Reese.  The Warriors continued to push ahead as Soumare sunk a jump shot to put Southern Wesleyan on top 28-18 at half.

The Bobcats took the first points of the third quarter as Makayla Smith laid the ball up.  However, the Warriors countered with a layup by Lonesha Lee to keep Southern Wesleyan ahead by ten.  Lees-McRae countered the Warriors attacks and pressured down the court, cutting Southern Wesleyan's lead down to five on a jumper by Meyers.  Reese sunk a three to put the Warriors on top 34-27.  The Bobcats cut the Warriors lead down to one on a jump shot by Destiny Johnson, but the Warriors regained a three point lead on a layup by Berry.

With the game tied at forty going into the final quarter of play, Soumare laid the ball up to put the Warriors ahead 42-40.  Lees-McRae took the lead on a fast break jump shot by Aurora Roberts.  However, the Warriors maintained the pressure as Soumare passed the ball to Lee who sunk it from beyond the three point line to put Southern Wesleyan down 48-46 with just under five minutes left in the final quarter.  Despite a late three pointer by Reese, the Warriors fell to the Bobcats 59-51.

 
What's Next

Southern Wesleyan will next travel to Spartanburg, SC to take on the Converse Valkyries on February 18 at 7 p.m.  They will then return to Historic Tysinger Gymnasium for the final three games of the season.  The Warriors will host the Barton Bulldogs on February 20 at p.m.  Southern Wesleyan will wrap up the season against Emmanuel College on February 23 and Erskine College on February 25.