Rocky Mount, N.C. - The N.C. Wesleyan women's basketball team hosted its 4th Annual Jean Edge Classic over the weekend, welcoming Hood College, Methodist University, and Randolph College to Everett Gymnasium for the two-day event. The Bishops earned victories over Hood and Randolph to go 2-0 in the tourney, posting a thrilling 72-69 overtime win over the Wildcats in Sunday's finale. Alexis Fitzgerald, KeChae Parker, and Timyra Staton each garnered All-Classic honors after posting a trio of solid performances.
Methodist opened play versus Randolph on Saturday, with the Wildcats cruising to a 72-58 win. Alexis Calloway paced Randolph with a double-double of 15 points and 14 rebounds, while Christian Sanders netted 12 for the Monarchs.
The Bishops then took the court versus Hood, opening up a 20-4 lead in the first quarter and hanging on for an eventual 61-45 victory. Staton turned in a stellar game with 20 points and 15 rebounds, with Parker adding 17 points, eight rebounds, and five assists.
On Sunday, the Monarchs (1-2) secured their first win of the season with a 65-62 victory over the Blazers (1-2). MU out-scored Hood 15-6 in the first quarter and fought off a furious second half rally thanks to a career-high 20 points by Sanders, who was named to the All-Classic Team. Webster notched 20 points and seven rebounds en route to All-Classic honors as well.
NCWC and Randolph proceeded to save the most exciting game for last. Tied 28-28 at the half, the Bishops came out on fire in the third quarter, forging an 11-point lead thanks to a 15-4 run after the break. The Wildcats, however, countered with an 8-1 run of their own in the final five minutes to pull back to within four, 48-44, entering the fourth.
The Bishops led by as many as five on two occasions in the final period, the latter coming at 55-50 with 3:43 remaining in regulation. Randolph again battled back, and the Wildcats took their first lead of the half, 60-59, with just 23 seconds left. A crucial turnover saw Wesleyan foul with six seconds remaining, and Daijah Johnson knocked down 1-of-2 to give Randolph a 2-point advantage.
On NCWC's ensuing possession, Caila Spruill was fouled after grabbing an offensive rebound with 1.1 ticks on the clock, and the freshman calmly sank both free throws to force OT. The 61-61 tie at the end of regulation was the 13th of the game, and the Bishops would go on to out-score the Wildcats 11-8 in the extra frame.
Parker tallied 19 points on the night, while Fitzgerald knocked down four treys to finish with 16 points and six assists. Staton posted another double-double with 14 points and 12 boards.
For Randolph (2-1), Calloway recorded six points and 12 rebounds to round out the All-Classic Team.
The 2016 Jean Edge Classic marked the fourth season that Wesleyan has hosted the tournament in honor of the Bishop legend. Edge is known as the matriarch of NCWC women's athletics, and the Bishops are truly honored to recognize her by hosting this event. Wesleyan also recognized tourney sponsor Lloyd Nelson and his wife, Elliott, who were on hand to present the All-Classic plaques. Both Wesleyan graduates, the couple was most recently honored with the college's prestigious Family Award, while Mr. Nelson is also a member of the NCWC Athletics Hall of Fame. It is through the Nelsons' generosity that the Bishops are able to host this Classic each year, and the women's basketball program offers sincere thanks for their continuous support.
Wesleyan (3-0) returns to action after Thanksgiving when the Bishops travel to Marietta, Ohio to take part in the 32nd Annual Jim Meagle Turkey Shoot. NCWC faces Bethany College (W.V) on Saturday at 8:00pm.