Central, SC – Southern Wesleyan's second half rally was not enough to pass Mars Hill as they fell in a 98-77 final score on Saturday afternoon.
The Warriors shot 46.6% from the field in the game. Four Warriors posted double digits in the game with Makayla Raines leading the team with 18 points. Savanna Nicholson (12), Esther Cole (11) and Kyra Price (10) also had double digits. Of the 14 assists in the match, both Raines and Peyton Looky had four.
Southern Wesleyan pulled down 37 rebounds in the game. Makayla Raines led the team with 10 rebounds to give her a double-double. The Warriors stole the ball away from the Lions nine times in the game. Peyton Looky had three steals to her name and Raines had two.
Game Vitals
Final: Mars Hill 98, Southern Wesleyan 77
Records: Southern Wesleyan (0-2) Mars Hill (1-1)
How It Happened
Makayla Raines gave the Warriors the early advantage as she knocked down a three pointer off a steal by Peyton Looky. However, the Lions answered right back with a three pointer by Felesia Ondongo. Jadyiah Peoples laid the ball up to put Mars Hill on top. The Lions pressed on with several more baskets by Ondongo to give them an 11-5 point lead. The Lions continued to extend on their lead before a layup by DeYana Hayes with just over two minutes on the clock allowed Southern Wesleyan to stop their run.
The Lions extended their lead to twenty-two points early in the second quarter as Felesia Ondongo put up a jump shot. Makayla Raines knocked down a three pointer. The Warriors began to chip away at Mars Hill's lead as Esther Cole and Lexie Ransom each had layups. However, a layup by Makayla Street and a three pointer by Stella McIntyre allowed the Lions to regain their twenty point lead. Peyton Looky passed the ball out beyond the arc to Savanna Nicholson. Nicholson sunk a three pointer to put the Warriors behind the Lions 51-31 at halftime.
A foul early in the third quarter allowed the Lions to score first as Makayla Street got in a free throw. However, a three pointer by Peyton Looky allowed the Warriors to come to 52-34 behind the Lions. Emily Gamon laid the ball up into the basket from in the paint, and then Savanna Nicholson knocked down yet another three pointer. The Lions answered as Street laid up the ball. The Warriors rallied right back on layups by Kyra Price and Makayla Raines. Adrianna Gullette and Nicholson exchanged three point shots in the final minutes of the quarter.
Southern Wesleyan was first on the board in the final quarter of the match as Kyra Price put up a jump shot. The Warriors maintained the pressure as Emily Gamon and Esther Cole each recorded lay-ups to put the Warriors within nine points of the Lions. However, a layup by Jadein Haynes allowed the Lions to regain their double-digit advantage. Kindan Dawson hit a three pointer, but the Warriors countered as Savanna Nicholson knocked down another three. Despite final layups by Makayla Raines and Emily Gamon, the Warriors fell to the Lions in a 98-77 final score.
What's Next
The Warriors will travel to Milledgeville, GA on November 19 to take on the Georgia College Bobcats at 6pm. They will remain on the road on November 22 as they travel to St. Augustine, FL to take on the Flagler Saints. Southern Wesleyan will open up Conference Carolinas action on November 25 as they travel to Rome, GA to take on the Shorter Hawks at 5:30pm.
