Boxscore

WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – The inside duo of Umeka Benson (Charlotte, N.C.) and Keyona Bryant (Springdale, Md.) of Saint Augustine's College proved to be too much for West Virginia Wesleyan College in a 66-64 Lady Falcon basketball victory Saturday (Nov. 12) in the season opener for both teams at the West Liberty Tip-Off Tournament.
 
Benson, last year's CIAA rookie of the year, came off the bench to record 19 points and 10 rebounds in 23 minutes. The sophomore center made 9 of 18 shots from the floor. Bryant, a two-time All-CIAA center, added 18 points and nine rebounds on 6-for-11 shooting. The senior starter played 23 minutes in her first regular-season game back from knee injury which forced her to miss the final 16 games last season.
 
Both Benson and Bryant combined for 22 first-half points to give the Lady Falcons a 40-27 halftime lead. The score was 62-52 Lady Falcons after Bryant's follow shot at the 4:13 mark in the second half before things got hairy in the end. The Lady Bobcats, returning four starters, went on a quick 7-0 run to climb back within 62-59 with 2:31 left.
 
Benson nailed a jumper to stop the run, but the Lady Bobcats closed within three again at 65-62 with 26 seconds left on a three-pointer by Lydia Bridenbaugh, who tied Benson for game-high scoring honors with 19 points including 3-for-5 from three-point land.
 
Benson gave the Lady Falcons the cushion they needed when she connected on 1 of 2 free throws for a 66-62 lead with 18 seconds left. Bridenbaugh hit a jumper with four seconds left for the final score.
 
Senior guard Keianna Evans (Fayetteville, N.C.) added 10 points for the Lady Falcons, who took advantage of 24 Lady Bobcat turnovers for 26 points. Evans had three of the Lady Falcons' 11 steals. Brittany Williams scored 16 points for the Lady Bobcats.
 
The Lady Falcons are back in action Sunday (Nov. 13) when they take on host West Liberty at 4 p.m. in the event.