CULLOWHEE, N.C. – Playing their second straight game on the road, Winthrop dropped a heartbreaker to Western Carolina 48-47 Thursday night at Ingles Court at the Liston B. Ramsey Regional Activity Center.
Winthrop (0-2) | Western Carolina (1-1)
Nov. 10, 2022 | Ingles Court at the Liston B. Ramsey Regional Activity Center
Winthrop 47, Western Carolina 48
How it Happened
First Quarter | Winthrop started the game up 5-0 on a three-pointer by
Leonor Paisana and a jumper by
Tori Hall. The hosts would tie the game at five before a free throw by
Shamyjha Price and an
Aaishah Barry layup would tie it at eight with three minutes remaining in the quarter. Barry's two free throws gave Winthrop a 10-8 lead only to have WCU tie it again seconds later. A free throw by
Paige Powell with around a minute left gave the Eagles an 11-10 lead entering the second quarter.
Second Quarter | A Price free throw was the first point for the Eagles in the second frame, giving Winthrop a 12-10 lead. WCU would take the lead with a three-pointer two minutes later but an 8-0 run gave Winthrop a 20-15 lead with six minutes left in the quarter. Paisana and Hall hit two triples during the run. The Eagles then proceeded to go cold the rest of the half, hitting just one free throw as the Catamounts finished with a 7-1 run to take a 22-21 lead into the locker room.
Third Quarter | Winthrop would come out swinging in the third quarter, going on a 12-5 run to seize their largest lead of the night at 33-27. Powell scored half of Winthrop's points during the run on two free throws and two layups, forcing WCU to call a timeout with three and a half minutes left in the quarter. The hosts would hit a three coming out of the timeout but Winthrop answered right back with a three of their own by
Frances Brown. After WCU hit another triple a Powell layup and free throw gave the Eagles a 39-33 lead with almost a minute to go. The Catamounts hit one more shot as Winthrop took a 39-35 lead heading into the final period.
Fourth Quarter | The final four minutes of the quarter proved to be a photo finish. Both teams traded free throws to begin the frame before WCU tied it up at 40 with around four minutes left. Price put Winthrop in the lead at 42-40 on two free throws and then a steal and fast break layup by
Jada Ryce gave the Eagles a 44-40 lead with two and a half minutes left. WCU then went up one at 45-44 a minute later on a triple and a layup. Ryce then gave Winthrop the lead back on a three with nearly a minute left. But the home team would not be denied. Coming out of a timeout, Ryce stole the ball and it appeared the Eagles would leave with the victory. But Hall turned it over down low as Winthrop was running out the clock. With nine seconds left, WCU drove into the paint, made a shot and was fouled with nine seconds left. The Catamounts missed the free throw but got the rebound and Price fouled out going for the ball, giving WCU a second chance with four seconds to go. They missed the first free throw but made the second. Winthrop called time to set up one last play. Ryce tried a contested three but it had no chance as WCU came back to win 48-47.
Statistical Standouts (Team)
• Winthrop outscored WCU's bench 11-9
• There were nine lead changes and six tie scores in the game
• Winthrop outscored WCU 18-16 in the paint
• Winthrop shot 7-of-13 from the field in the third quarter
• Winthrop was 12-17 from the free throw line in the game
Statistical Standouts (Individual)
•
Paige Powell (11 points, 8 rebounds)
•
Jada Ryce (5 points, 6 steals, 3 assists, 4 rebounds, 39 minutes)
•
Shamyjha Price (33 minutes, 4-6 free throws, 4 rebounds)
•
Tori Hall (37 minutes, 4-6 free throws, 10 points)
•
Aaishah Barry (17 minutes, 3-4 field goals, 7 rebounds, 8 points)
Up Next
Winthrop will take on Coppin State in the home opener for the Eagles on Sunday, Nov. 13 at 2 p.m.
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