SHEPHERDSTOWN — West Virginia Wesleyan’s women’s basketball team controlled most of the game on the road against Shepherd University Thursday, but missed one of two free throws with five seconds on the clock to fall 67-64 for its first loss of the new season.
The Lady Bobcats and Rams traded baskets early in the first quarter until, with 4:41 left on the clock, Wesleyan took the lead on a Caitlyn Sullivan layup to go up 12-10, a lead that the Lady Bobcats would not relinquish until the third quarter.
Up by nine at the halftime break (33-24), the Lady Bobcats continued to hold a slim margin throughout the third quarter. But turnovers that led to Shepherd points (23) slowly scratched into its lead until, with 54 seconds in the quarter, the Rams went up 44-43.
The fourth quarter showcased a battle as neither team gained a significant advantage and the score never favored either by more than four points. There were six ties including the last one at 63-63 when the Rams’ Jenna Liska went to the line to put her team up by two with 18 seconds left. Wesleyan controlled the ensuing possession and with five seconds remaining, the Lady Bobcats’ Daveona Hatchell was fouled, went to the line, made her first attempt but missed the second. A quick foul on the Rams resulted in two shots at the line and the 67-64 win.
The Lady Bobcat defense once again suffocated its opponent on the boards, grabbing a total of 43 to Shepherd’s 34. For Wesleyan, its offensive rebounding (23) outshined its defensive total (20).
Sydney Baird’s seven rebounds, including four offensive, and her 17 total points led Wesleyan. She shot 50 percent from the field (6-of-12) that included three 3-pointers.
Shelby Genes added 12 points from the field and dropped 5-of-6 from the free throw line. Last year’s Bobcat points scoring leader Emma Witt added eight points and six rebounds.
Wesleyan hosts its home-opener against Carlow University (Pa.) Monday, Nov. 18 in Rockefeller Center. Tip is set for 5:30 p.m. and admission throughout the regular season is free.
