Holley's Clutch Play Down the Stretch Seals 62-60 Win over Hornets

Nadiya Holley
Nadiya Holley

Winchester, Va. - Junior Nadiya Holley netted 10 points off the bench, including the eventual game-winning score, to help her Bishops tally a tight 62-60 win at Shenandoah University on Wednesday night.

Shenandoah used a pivotal run midway the fourth quarter to come back from seven down and take a 58-57 lead on an Ashley Stone lay-up with 3:13 go. Holley, however, was fouled on the ensuing possession and calmly sank a pair of free throws to put the Bishops back on top, 59-58.

After forcing a Hornet turnover, Holley missed a jumper on Wesleyan's next possession, but her offensive rebound and putback provided the eventual game-deciding points. Fellow junior Cheria Turrentine's free throw with 14 seconds remaining sealed the 62-60 victory.

Wesleyan had previously found itself clinging to a slim 28-25 lead at the half after the Hornets erased a 13-point deficit with a 10-0 run to close out the second quarter. The two squads broke even with 16 points apiece in the third period, allowing the Bishops to take a 44-41 advantage into the final ten minutes of play.

Overall, the game featured three ties and eight lead changes. Both Holley and Turrentine finished with 10 points each, while senior KeChae Parker netted a team-high 12 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and collected five steals. As a team, the Bishops dominated the glass 51-40, which resulted in 23 second-chance points.

Stone paced SU (4-4) with a game-high 18 points and seven boards.

NCWC (3-6) wraps up play prior to the holiday break on Saturday when the Bishops host Virginia Wesleyan. Tip-off is slated for 1:00pm in Everett Gym.