CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Behind Epiphany Woodson’s 21 points, the Charlotte 49ers women’s basketball team downed the Saint Louis Billikens, 61-52 on Wednesday night at Halton Arena. With the victory, the Niners improve to 10-6 on the season and 2-0 in the Atlantic 10. The Billikens fall to 6-11 and 0-1 in the conference.
“It was a grind-it -out win by our team,” head coach Cara Consuegra said. “It was a tale of two halves. In the first half, both teams were playing strong defense but the offenses could not get going. In the second half, we were played pretty well offensively but were struggling defensively. However, we played our best basketball in the final minutes to get the win.”
Woodson’s game-high 21 points were just two shy of her career-high 23 mark. The senior guard was 4-for-7 from three point range, including back-to-back threes midway through the second half that provided the Niners with a huge energy boost. Additionally, Woodson was 3-for-6 from the free throw line and pulled down three rebounds in the 49ers’ victory.
“Epiphany Woodson carried us in the second half with her scoring,” Consuegra noted.
Junior forward Jennifer Hailey was Charlotte’s second leading scorer with 13 points and a game-high nine rebounds, including seven boards in the offensive zone. She added two blocks and a steal on the night. Gabby Tyler provided an offensive edge, as well, picking up eight points with six rebounds and three blocks.
The 49ers edged Saint Louis in field goal percentage, shooting 39.3% compared with the Billikens’ 36.8%, and held the visitors to a mere 25.8% in the first half. Charlotte also outrebounded Saint Louis, 44-34 and held an 8-0 advantage in blocked shots.
Charlotte led 28-21 at the half with a 14-6 edge in points in the paint. But the Billikens came out fighting in the second half, chipping away at the Niners’ lead as time wore on. Desirae Ball’s jumper at the 17:18 mark cut the 49ers’ advantage to three, 30-27, and a layup by Ball less than two minutes later pulled Saint Louis within one, 32-31.
But that was as close as the Billikens would come, as Charlotte refused to relinquish its lead. Tyler’s jumper put the 49ers back up by three points, and Hailey hit two free throws at the 13:38 mark for a five-point lead.
Woodson’s back-to-back three balls were arguably the difference maker in the game, with the second field goal giving the Niners a 48-40 lead and all the momentum with 9:59 remaining.
Tyler made an impact late as well, making two free throws with 3:37 left to retain the eight-point lead and following up with an offensive rebound and a layup on the Niners’ next scoring play, restoring a double-digit lead.
Charlotte went on an 11-5 run over the final 6:49 to seal the victory.
Despite being plagued by 14 first half turnovers, Charlotte led by as many as 12 points in the opening half, with help from a 10-0 run early in the frame. Saint Louis got off to a quick 5-2 lead, but freshman Hillary Sigmon’s make from behind the arc tied the score and the Niners scored the next seven straight on a three by Woodson, a layup from Hailey and two free throws from sophomore guard Nai Hammonds.
The Niners continue A10 play on the road at George Washington this Saturday, January 14th. Tipoff is 2 p.m.
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