MONTICELLO – The SAU women’s basketball team snapped their 11-game losing streak on Thursday in a 62-56 contest that saw the Muleriders shoot 53.7 percent from the field (22-41) and 66.7 percent from three-point land (8-12). The win marks the Muleriders’ first win of 2019, their first win against NCAA opposition and first GAC win of the season.
Junior Lena Maledon led the Lady Muleriders in scoring with 14 points in 24 minutes. The Parisian shot 4-7 from the field, including making both of her three-point attempts, and shooting 4-6 from the free-throw line. Maledon also grabbed a rebound and tossed an assist.
Freshman Jerica Bell was the other Lady Mulerider in double-digits, continuing her streak of scoring 10 points or more in every game of 2019. The forward scored 12 points on 5-7 shooting from the field and 2-4 from the charity stripe. Bell also grabbed five rebounds in 25 minutes.
Despite only having two players in double-digits, the Muleriders had four players within a basket of being in double digits – Olivia McWilliams (9 points), Erin Brinkley and Tamera Shaver (8 points), and Brette Wacha (7 points).
McWilliams’ nine points came on 3-4 shooting from the field; she made both of her three-point attempts as well. McWilliams also grabbed four rebounds in 31 minutes of gametime.
Nine rebounds, two assists and a block accompanied Brinkley’s eight points. Shaver’s eight points came by way of two made threes in four attempts; Shaver also grabbed two rebounds, tossed an assist and tallied a steal. Wacha’s four attempts from the field all came from deep, making two. Wacha also grabbed two rebounds and tossed an assist.
Senior Alyssa Crase was the only other Mulerider to score, with four points. Crase also recorded one steal, grabbed four rebounds and threw a game-high four assists.
The Muleriders held onto the lead after the 2:39 mark in the first quarter, and the Muleriders entered the half with a 28-25 lead, only the second time this season they have ended the first half ahead; and the Lady Muleriders’ stiff defense held the Blossoms to 32.7 percent shooting on the night, as well as 0-4 from behind the arc.
The Lady Muleriders return to action on Saturday at the W. T. Watson Center as they take on Harding.