RICHMOND, Va. (Nov. 20) – After being forced into a season-high in turnovers, the Trojans dropped a 74-47 decision at Virginia Union on Wednesday night in non-conference play.
With the loss, the University of Mount Olive women's basketball program falls to 1-2 overall with a pair of losses coming against Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) opponents. The Trojans hold a 2-5 all-time record in the series against the Lady Panthers with the sides meeting in back-to-back seasons. Meanwhile, Virginia Union improves to 3-2 this season with two wins over Conference Carolinas opponents.
Junior
Madison Butler led the team with 12 points while converting five-of-six from the free-throw line with five rebounds in 19 minutes off the bench. Fellow junior
Savannah McAfee finished with nine points on four-of-eight shots with two rebounds in 28 minutes. Senior
Amber Nealy tallied six points, one rebound, and two assists in 18 minutes of play.
Virginia Union established an early 9-4 lead in the first quarter before the Trojans stormed back with a perfect three-of-three shooting to cut the deficit to 14-12 at the 2:53 mark. The Lady Panthers quickly stretched the lead to 20-12 with six unanswered points before UMO scored five of the final seven points, 22-17. Virginia Union opened the second quarter with nine consecutive points to build a 31-17 edge at the 6:28 mark. The teams exchanged baskets in the final five minutes, as the Lady Panthers took a 44-26 advantage in the break.
In the third quarter, VUU made 5-of-10 from the field in the initial five minutes to extend the lead to 57-31. The Trojans went into the final quarter trailing by a 66-37 margin. Mount Olive scored four of the opening six points of the fourth before a four-plus minute scoreless drought. The sides traded points in the final minutes, as the Lady Panthers captured a 74-47 win.
UMO shot at a 35.0 clip (14-of-40) from the floor while going 14-of-20 (70.0 percent) from the free-throw line. Meanwhile, Virginia Union finished the game shooting 35.2 percent (25-of-71) and converted 17-of-22 (77.3 percent) from the charity stripe. The Lady Panthers held a 36-26 rebounding advantage with 32 points off turnovers, while the Trojans scored 28 points off the bench.
Virginia Union featured four players in double-figures, led by graduate student Taniyah Greene with 25 points on 7-of-12 shooting while grabbing 11 rebounds in 25 minutes.
The Trojans return to Kornegay Arena on Saturday, Nov. 23, for a Conference Carolinas matchup against Shorter with tip-off set for 2 p.m.
