Ferrum, Va. - The women's basketball team of North Carolina Wesleyan saw its 2013-14 season come to end on Thursday afternoon, dropping a hard-fought 70-63 decision to South Division top-seed Maryville College in the first round of the USA South Conference Tournament. The loss marks the ends of the careers of four-year seniors Tiffany Bell, Monet Edwards, Shanice Goree, Jaleesa Honesty and Kourtney Salisbury.
After battling to a 27-27 tie at the break, the Bishops were able to forge a 48-40 lead with under eight minutes remaining in the contest. The Scots, however, put together a 22-3 run over the next six minutes to forge an 11-point advantage, 62-51, at the 1:49 mark.
NCWC freshman Kenyata Harris, who was recently tabbed USA South Rookie of the Year, got her team going with a huge three-pointer that ignited a 12-4 Bishop run and made it a one-possession game, 66-63, with 27 ticks left. Unfortunately, Maryville answered with a deep pass and lay-up off the ensuing in-bounds play, which once again shifted the momentum and allowed the Scots to avoid the upset.
Bell finished with a game-high 20 points to lead all scorers, while Harris netted 19 of her own. Salisbury pulled down a team-high eight rebounds and dished out five assists. Goree and Edwards chipped in eight and seven points, respectively.
The Battling Bishops end their 2013-14 campaign with a 12-14 overall record.