Bishop Women Fall in USA South Tournament First Round

Bishop Women Fall in USA South Tournament First Round

Ferrum, Va. - The 4th-seeded N.C. Wesleyan women's basketball team saw its 2016-2017 season come to an end on Saturday afternoon, falling in the first round of the USA South Conference Tournament to 5th-seeded William Peace University by a 66-60 score. The Bishops, who led by 14 points with five minutes left in the third quarter, saw the Pacers net 44 points in the second half to claim the 6-point victory.

After a back-and-forth opening period ended with Wesleyan clinging to a 17-15 lead, the Bishops opened up the second quarter with a 7-0 run and later finished out the period with three unanswered buckets to forge a 34-22 lead at the half.

In the third quarter, a pair of free throws by freshman Vontasia Olds gave NCWC its biggest lead, 42-28, with 5:04 remaining. Unfortunately, the Bishops then went cold from the floor as WPU heated up to out-score them 16-4 in the final five minutes to pull to within two, 46-44, heading into the fourth. The Pacers took their first lead of the half, 51-48, with 7:59 left in regulation and they would not trail again.

Junior KeChae Parker tallied her seventh double-double of the season with 15 points and 11 rebounds to pace the Bishops. She was joined in double-figures by senior Alexis Fitzgerald with 11 points of her own.

Wesleyan finishes the season with a 13-13 overall record, which ties for the most wins in the program's last 15 years. Saturday's game also marks the end of the careers of Fitzgerald and fellow senior Timyra Staton.