WISE, Va. – The Georgia Southwestern State University women's basketball team remained within striking distance through the first half Friday afternoon, but a strong second-half shooting performance propelled UVA Wise to a 78-46 victory at the David J. Prior Convocation Center.
The Lady Hurricanes were led by Ariana Dyson with 14 points, while Destiny Smith added 13, including three 3-pointers. UVA Wise (1-0) used a decisive third quarter and 13 made 3-pointers to secure the win in the second all-time meeting between the programs.
Defensive Battle Opens the Afternoon
Both teams struggled to find their offensive rhythm early, combining for just 17 points in the opening quarter. UVA Wise scored the game's first four points before Dyson converted a pair of free throws to put GSW on the scoreboard.
The Lady Hurricanes stayed close behind baskets from Dyson and Shane' Jackson, trailing just 9-6 with 1:29 remaining. UVA Wise added a late basket to take an 11-6 advantage into the second period.
The Cavaliers began to create separation in the second quarter, using a 10-2 run to stretch their lead to 21-8 with 6:19 remaining.
GSW responded with a 6-0 run of its own, sparked by a basket from Kamiyah Adams, two free throws from Smith and a layup by Makenzie Kelly. The stretch cut the deficit to seven points, 21-14, with 3:54 left before halftime.
Smith connected on a 3-pointer with 1:44 remaining and added two free throws in the closing minute as the Lady Hurricanes entered the break trailing 27-19.
Cavaliers Pull Away After Halftime
UVA Wise took control in the third quarter, opening the second half with a 9-0 run to build a 36-19 lead before Dyson ended the stretch with a layup at the 6:13 mark.
The Cavaliers continued their offensive surge, shooting 60 percent from the field during the period while connecting on three of four attempts from beyond the arc. A 3-pointer by Emilea Preece pushed the lead to 48-23 with 3:37 remaining.
GSW closed the quarter with four unanswered points on baskets from Jackson and Madison Brittle, but UVA Wise carried a 53-31 advantage into the final period after outscoring the Lady Hurricanes 26-12 in the third.
The Cavaliers maintained their momentum in the fourth quarter, connecting on six 3-pointers and shooting 50 percent from the floor. GSW scored 15 points in the period, including a pair of 3-pointers from Smith, but UVA Wise pulled away for the 78-46 final.
Dyson and Smith Lead Lady Hurricanes
Dyson finished with a team-high 14 points, five rebounds and four assists, while Smith contributed 13 points and made all four of her free-throw attempts.
Jackson added four points, a team-high six rebounds and two assists. Neal finished with four points, while Brittle contributed three points and four rebounds.
GSW shot 31.3 percent (15-of-48) from the field and 33.3 percent (3-of-9) from 3-point range. The Lady Hurricanes also recorded five blocked shots, including two from Adams.
UVA Wise was led by Shelby Higgins with 12 points, all coming on four 3-pointers. Abigail Jordan added 11 points off the bench, while Alissa Cheek finished with 10 points and four assists.
The Cavaliers held a 51-32 rebounding advantage, including 20 offensive rebounds, and converted those opportunities into 17 second-chance points compared to nine for GSW.
UVA Wise also received 43 points from its bench and held a 22-15 advantage in points off turnovers. The Cavaliers finished with 24 assists on 29 made field goals.
The teams were meeting for just the second time in program history after UVA Wise won the inaugural matchup, 68-64, last season in Beaufort, S.C.
Up Next
The Lady Hurricanes continue their stay in Wise with a game against Ferrum College on Saturday at 1 p.m.
