Women's basketball records second win in a row with win over Tennessee Wesleyan

Laurinburg, N.C. - The St. Andrews women's basketball team survived a fourth quarter scare from the Tennessee Wesleyan Bull Dogs on their way to their fourth conference victory of the season Saturday afternoon at Harris Court. 

A mere 12 seconds remained on the clock as the Knights came out of their last time out, leading the Bull Dogs, 66-60. The Bull Dogs quickly fouled, sending Emily Cruz to the free-throw line. The freshman standout from Chino Hills, CA executed under pressure, sinking both of her shots. On the other side of the court on the following possession, the Bull Dogs Jacelyn Stone gave her team a second look with an offensive rebound after Abbey Barr's missed three-point attempt. She fed the ball to Anna Crowder, who nailed her shot from behind the arc. Cambree Mayo quickly fouled the Knights Ashley Starks, sending her to the foul line with seven seconds left. The Manchester, TN native went 1-2, keeping it a two possession game. 

The slim roster of eight Knights players had two starters (Starks, AJ Price) with four personal fouls. Not wanting to risk one one fouling out with less than 10 seconds left, they gave the Bull Dogs extra breathing room on the next time down the court. The Bull Dogs capitalized, with Stone sinking the crucial shot to keep her team alive. 

Bull Dogs Head Coach Jeff Rice called a 30-second timeout, his last one left, with two seconds remaining, trying to give his players one last opportunity to stay alive. 

Time was not on their side, as the buzzard sounded before the visitors made an attempt. The Knights secured their second victory in a row and their fourth at home this season. 

Starks finished the game with 25 points, and one rebound. She was a menace on defense for the entirety of the game, recording five of her teams sevens steals. Cruz followed right behind her, adding strong offensive support in several categories. She finished the matchup with 15 points, 17 rebounds, and seven assists. Madison Larrimore pulled down 12 rebounds and recorded one block. Cruz currently ranks third in Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) rebounding, averaging 8.8 RPG while Larrimore ranks fourth, averaging 8.6 RPG. 

The Knights' record improves to 5-11, 4-11. 

They will next travel to Knoxville, Tennessee to take on the Johnson Royals on Wednesday, January 24.