Cullowhee, NC – Southern Wesleyan dropped their exhibition match-up against the Western Carolina Catamounts on Saturday afternoon in a 73-34 final score.
The Warriors shot 23.1% from the field and were 63.6% from the free throw line in the exhibition match-up. Shelby Glance and Lexi Greffen each picked up eight points. Tristen Berry followed with seven. Southern Wesleyan had five assists with Berry recording two.
Southern Wesleyan totaled 33 rebounds. Asia Pearly led the team with five with Lexi Greffen right on her heels with four. Both Shelby Glance and Jordan Race had blocks. Dynasty Shegog had three of the eight steals in the game.
Game Vitals
Final: Western Carolina 73, Southern Wesleyan 34
Records: Southern Wesleyan (3-8) Western Carolina (4-10)
How It Happened
A foul early in the first quarter allowed the Catamounts to take an early lead with free throws by Audrey Meyers. However, Tristen Berry sent the ball beyond the arc to Shelby Glance shortly afterwards and she sunk a three to put the Warriors ahead. Southern Wesleyan extended their lead to 5-2 on a jump shot by Lexi Greffen. Western Carolina countered with a three pointer by Nicole Azar to give the Catamounts a one point lead. However, the Warriors would not back down as Greffen put up another jump shot to keep them within one point of the Catamounts. A driving layup by Jada Burton allowed the Catamounts to extend their lead to six points. The Warriors countered with a layup out of the hands of Dynasty Shegog.
Southern Wesleyan kicked off the second quarter as Rahkhia Mack took the ball to the net for a layup. Mya Love drove to the net and laid the ball up into the basket. The Warriors stayed within six points of the Catamounts with a layup by Tristen Berry. However, back-to-back layups by Lonasia Brewer and Chelsea Wooten allowed the Catamounts to extend their lead to ten points. Asia Pearly laid the ball up into the basket and was fouled in the process to earn the and one basket. A three pointer by Bailey Trumm allowed the Catamounts to lead 39-19 going into the locker room.
The Warriors took the first points after the half as a foul by Nicole Azar allowed Shelby Glance to come to free throw line. Glance sunk both free throws for the Warriors. A layup by Zanoria Cruz allowed the Catamounts to regain their twenty point advantage. Western Carolina would not back down as Jada Burton and Mya Love each put up jump shots. Both teams were kept off the boards until a free throw by Love allowed the Catamounts to take a 46-21 point lead with just under four minutes left in the quarter. The Catamounts would not relent as Bailey Trumm hit back-to-back three point baskets.
Southern Wesleyan took the first points of the final quarter as Tristen Berry passed the ball under the basket to Dynasty Shegog. Shegog then laid it up into the basket. Nicole Azar stepped beyond the arc and sunk a three pointer to give the Catamounts a 63-25 point advantage with just over eight minutes left in the game. Nyah Garner sent the ball beyond the arc to Tristen Berry who put up a three point shot for the Warriors. Lexi Greffen hit a turn around jump shot. The Warriors continue to put up a fight as Shelby Glance sunk a three pointer. However, the Catamounts took the game in a 73-34 final score.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will kick off the new year on the road as they travel to Harrogate, TN to take on the Lincoln Memorial Railsplitters on January 1. They will then return to Central, SC as they resume Conference Carolinas action on January 3 and host the North Greenville Crusaders in Historic Tysinger Gymnasium at 5 pm. The Warriors will travel to Banner Elk, NC on January 6 to take on the Lees-McRae Bobcats.
