Pembroke, NC – Southern Wesleyan challenged late, but fell to the UNC Pembroke Braves in a 68-58 final score on Saturday afternoon.
The Warriors shot 34% from the field and were 77.3% from the free throw line in the loss to the Braves. Shelby Glance led the team with 15 points while Asia Pearly (14) and Lexi Greffen (11) also scored double digits. Both Greffen and Dynasty Shegog had two assists.
Southern Wesleyan pulled down 39 rebounds with Shelby Glance picking up 12 to give her a double-double game. Pearly had six boards and both Kaliah Kendrick and Taylin Smith each had five. The Warriors had two steals in the game.
Game Vitals
Final: UNC Pembroke 68, Southern Wesleyan 58
Records: Southern Wesleyan (2-6 / CC 0-1) UNC Pembroke (4-3 / CC 1-0)
How It Happened
The Braves struck first as Zaria Clark put up a jump shot. However, a jump shot by Lexi Greffen allowed the Warriors to tie the game up. UNC Pembroke pushed ahead as a jumper by Kalaya Hall put them on top 6-3. The Braves kept the Warriors off the board until Asia Pearly laid the ball up into the basket. Tristen Berry passed the ball under the basket to Pearly who laid the ball up once again.
UNC Pembroke pushed further ahead as a three pointer by Natalie Eveington gave the Braves a ten point advantage. Southern Wesleyan countered with a three pointer of her own from Shelby Glance. Dynasty Shegog collected a pass from Jordan Race and laid it up to allow the Warriors to come back within five. Glance hit her second three pointer of the afternoon to put the Warriors down 21-18 with just over seven minutes left on the clock. Southern Wesleyan continued to chip away as Asia Pearly laid the ball up to put the Warriors back within one. A three pointer by Taylin Smith allowed the Warriors to take the lead, but it was short lived as Evington hit her second three pointer of the afternoon to put the Braves back on top. A layup by Kalaya Hall allowed the Braves to extend their lead back to seven. Despite a last second jump shot by Glance, the Warriors trailed 32-25 at halftime.
Taylin Smith kicked off the third quarter for the Warriors with a free throw. However, a layup by Lillian Flantos extended Braves lead to eight. Kelci Adams knocked down a three point shot, and then Hannah Russell laid the ball up into the basket for the Braves. The Warriors fought back with baskets by Lexi Greffen and Dynasty Shegog. A shooting foul brought Shegog to the free throw line and she hit both her free throws.
Southern Wesleyan charged out of the gate in the third quarter as Kaliah Kendrick laid the ball up into the basket and was fouled in the play to allow her to make the and one basket. Southern Wesleyan kept fighting as Shelby Glance and Asia Pearly each laid the ball up into the basket. Lexi Greffen passed the ball beyond the arc to Glance who sunk a three pointer to put the Warriors down 51-47. The Warriors maintained the pressure as Tristen Berry stole the ball away from the Braves and raced down the court. She was fouled in the layup to take her to the free throw line where she sunk both of her free throws. The Braves would not go down lightly as Kelci Adams sunk a three pointer. The Braves pushed on as back-to-back baskets by Zaria Clark and Kalaya Hall allowed them to regain their nine point lead. Lexi Greffen put up a basket from beyond the arc. However, the Braves went on to win the game in a 68-58 final score.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will remain on the road on December 9 as they travel to Young Harris, GA to take on the Young Harris Mountain Lions at 2pm. They will then travel to St. Augustine, FL to take on the Flagler Saints on December 12. The Warriors will return home on December 16 as they host the Chowan Hawks.
