Union Takes Care of UVa-Wise Women

February 23, 2008
BOXSCORE

Wise, Va. – Despite a career-high 25-point effort by UVa-Wise’s Brittany Maxwell, Union College was able to take care of the host Saturday afternoon. The Lady Bulldogs’ Brooke Smith netted 27 points in the 86-73 victory over the Lady Cavs in the Appalachian Athletic Conference.

Maxwell (Whitewood, Va.) made seven of 10 attempts including six of seven triples for her career-best 25 points for UVa-Wise (5-25/3-15 AAC). Lauren Jervis (Kingsport, Tenn.) posted a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds while handing out three assists and stealing four passes.

Smith connected on 12 of 16 shots for a game-high 27 points to pace the Lady Bulldogs (22-7/15-3 AAC). Ashley Lunsford made five treys and nine of 10 attempts for 23 points. Susanna Todd added 11 tallies as Union made 35 of 60 shots for 58.3% from the floor.

Union opened the first seven minutes with a scoring outburst to lead 23-8 behind 12 points from Smith. The Lady Cavs battled back to within six points, 38-32, with 2:17 left on a Meghan Rutherford (Bristol, Va.) layup. The visitors made the final five points for a 43-32 intermission tally.

The Lady Bulldogs controlled most of the latter half and led by as many as 22 points, 76-54, with 8:21 in the game. UVa-Wise did not give up as it pulled within 10 points, 78-68 and 80-70, within the final 3:33 on a Maxwell three-pointer and a Shandi Edwards (Abingdon, Va.) jumper but could get no closer to fall 89-73.

The two UVa-Wise had two seniors playing in their final home games. Crystal Ratcliffe ( Abingdon, Va.) scored eight points, dished out three assists and stole three balls. Ashley Reese added three rebounds and an assist.

Both teams will now head onto the AAC Tournament starting next Wednesday morning. Union will be no worse than tied for the top place with King College while UVa-Wise will be the ninth seed.