JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – The Presbyterian College women's basketball team's (3-27, 1-15 Big South) season came to a close on Wednesday night (March 4) in the first round of the Big South Tournament, suffering a 60-48 defeat to USC Upstate at the Freedom Hall Civic Center.
The Blue Hose fought back in the second half to get within eight of the Spartans in the fourth quarter, but USC Upstate was able to hold off Presbyterian to secure the win. For the game, the Spartans shot 48.9 percent from the field and controlled the glass, outrebounding PC 40-20.
Ja'Cia Cunningham paced the Blue Hose offensively, finishing the night with 15 points. She made six field goals and drained three of her four free throw attempts. Allie Sykes also scored in double figures for Presbyterian, contributing 10 points. She went 3-of-4 from the field and connected on two three-pointers.
Daniella Velez added nine points for PC, burying two threes. Defensively, Ore Ogunwolere led the way for the Blue Hose, posting two steals. Aminata Tal and Cunningham logged a blocked shot as well.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
Aminata Tal got the Blue Hose going in Johnson City, opening the game with a layup. Tal stayed hot with another basket before Ore Ogunolwere scored off a turnover to give the Blue Hose a 7-4 lead halfway through the quarter. However, the Spartans responded to go on a 7-0 run to retake the lead from PC. Right after, Ja'Cia Cunnungham drilled a jumper to end the run with a minute left, pulling PC back within two. In the closing seconds, Daniella Velez buried her first three of the night to cut the Upstate lead to one. Through one period, USC Upstate grabbed a narrow 13-12 edge over Presbyterian.
Second Quarter
USC Upstate took control of proceedings in the second quarter to extend its lead. Velez continued to produce offensively for PC, making a layup with 7:42 left in the half. However, the Blue Hose would only score four more points as a team the remainder of the quarter. USC Upstate used a 12-2 run to open up the game, taking a 30-18 lead at the half. Tal and Velez led the PC scoring front in the first 20 minutes, scoring five points apiece.
Third Quarter
USC Upstate maintained its advantage to start the second half, building a 15-point lead. In the middle of the quarter, the Blue Hose started to chip away behind the play from Cunningham. Cunningham caught fire for Presbyterian, scoring nine points in the third to help the Blue Hose close the gap. Allie Sykes added her first three of the night in the final 90 seconds, cutting the PC deficit to 11. Going into the final quarter, the Spartans led 43-32.
Fourth Quarter
The Blue Hose immediately closed the gap to eight to open the fourth quarter thanks to Ogunwolere's first three of the contest. USC Upstate responded to go back up double digits, but the Blue Hose continued to fight. Sykes and Velez both made threes to help PC get within nine down 57-48 with 43 seconds left. However, USC Upstate fended off the late rally, going on to win 60-48 in Johnson City.
NOTABLES
- This is the 16th time this season that Ja'Cia Cunningham has scored in double figures. She also recorded her 10th blocked shot of the year.
- Daniella Velez logged her sixth game of the season making at least two treys for Presbyterian.
- Allie Sykes reached double figures for the fifth time in her freshman campaign. She also recorded her seventh game making multiple threes.
- Aminata Tal recorded her fourth blocked shot of the season.
