BARBOURVILLE, Ky. – Adrienne Womack and Meghan Rutherford posted big nights with a combined 43 points and 26 rebounds but was not enough to take UVa-Wise over Berea (Ky.) College. The Lady Mountaineers received a hugh effort of 34 points and eight boards from Ashley Howard in a going away 99-66 win in the opening game of the Union (Ky.) College Holiday Classic.

Womack (Floyd, Va.) paced the Lady Cavs (3-11) by hitting 12 of 14 attempts for 26 points while pulling in 16 caroms, blocking four shots and handing out two assists. Rutherford (Bristol, Va.) connected on seven of 14 tries for 17 points and added 10 boards. Lauren Jervis (Kingsport, Tenn.) pulled down 11 rebounds.

 

Berea (9-5) connected on 15 three-pointers compared to just one by UVa-Wise. The Lady Mountaineers forced 35 turnovers by the Lady Cavs while UVa-Wise made just seven of 20 free throws.

 

Howard connected on 13-of-26 shots, including 6-of-13 from 3-point range, in collecting 34 points. She also led Berea with eight rebounds as it outrebounded UVa-Wise 59-57.

Berea opened the game with a 13-0 run and cruised from that point on, seizing a 56-29 halftime lead. The margin swelled to 34 points in the second half as Berea captured the 99-66 victory.

After Howard, Ann Madden chipped in 16 points for Berea with Sarah Hughes and Stephanie Curry adding 15 and 13 points, respectively.

 

Berea took the first meeting between the two teams on November 10th by a 92-71 tally.

Both teams return to action Saturday. UVa-Wise will face Indiana University Southeast at 2 p.m. with Berea taking on host Union at 4 p.m.