Women's Basketball struggles in third quarter against No. 25 Rust

NEW ORLEANS – The Wiley College women's basketball team was unable to hit shots at the beginning of the third quarter in a 60-56 loss to No. 25 Rust College Friday in a Gulf Coast Athletic Conference game at Southern University at New Orleans' The Castle.

The Lady Wildcats (11-5, 2-3 GCAC) were held under 60 for the third consecutive game as they fall to 7-5 away from home. Rust College remains unbeaten as it extended its winning streak to six games.

Wiley College led most of the first half. Diamond Hawthorne powered the offense with 13 points. With 8:44 left in the second, the Lady Wildcats trailed 15-11. Alaeh Pressley scored a second-chance bucket. Hawthorne hit a 3-pointer to put Wiley College back in front. It lead by as many as seven. In the last two minutes of the half, the Lady Wildcats turned it over four times and missed two shots – which allowed Rust to take a 30-29 halftime lead.

In the third quarter, Wiley College only hit one of seven field goal attempts in four minutes. Rust took advantage and pushed its lead to 10. Pressley got a steal which led to a jumper by Kayja Jackson. Nasserine William stole the ball and was rewarded on the offensive end – hitting a jumper off a pass from Kiersten Harris. William got another steal and score to cut the deficit to four. With 1:59 remaining Jay'lann Myles hit a 3-pointer to pull the Lady Wildcats within one. Rust scored five of the next seven points to hold a four-point lead entering the fourth.

Kaitlyn Davis hit a 3-pointer to bring Wiley College within one with 8:31 left. It would miss its next eight shots – which allowed Rust to push the lead to nine with 6:11 remaining. Trailing by 11 with 3:40 left, Minnie Miller sparked a rally with a jumper. Tamia Dolls cut the lead to six with her second three-pointer. Davis stole the ball which led to a jumper by Pressley. Wiley College missed its last three shots.

It outshot Rust 30.1 to 27.4 percent but had limited free throw opportunities. The Lady Wildcats were called for 16 fouls while Rust was called for eight. They were outscored 14-5 from the charity stripe. Wiley College outrebounded Rust 55-49.

Hawthorne finished the game with 17 points. She added seven rebounds, two blocks and a steal. Pressley followed with 11 points, five rebounds, an assist and steal. Miller recorded her fourth double-digit rebounding game with 11. She also blocked four shots. Harris posted a team-high five assists.

The Lady Wildcats will face Fisk University at noon tomorrow. The Lady Bulldogs topped SUNO 75-36 for their fourth straight conference victory.

For more coverage on the Lady Wildcats visit https://wileyathletics.com/sports/wbkb/index

#FeartheClaws #NewEra #FortheW

FOLLOW THE WILDCATS
Twitter: @WileyAthletics
Facebook: /WileyAthletics
Instagram: @wileycollegeathletics
YouTube: /c/Wiley Wildcats