Barboursville, KY: The Alice Lloyd College Lady Eagles opened the 2019-20 season on the road in the Union College Classic against two tough opponents, #20 Bryan (TN) and highly regarded Union (KY).
On Friday, Coach John Mills ladies faced Bryan, a squad that went to the NAIA DII tournament last season while winning 31 games. In the opening quarter, the Lions jumped ahead quickly and pulled out to a 24-15 advantage.
In the second stanza, BC would extend their cushion to 16 points before ALC made a run. A hoop from junior guard Haley Hall reduced the deficit to just 8 (36-28) before a 9-1 burst saw Bryan regain control. They would lead 50-37 at intermission.
As the third period began, the Lady Lions stampeded out of the locker room on a 17-10 burst to pull ahead by 20 and they would hold a comfortable 80-54 cushion at periods end.
The last period would see BC maintain their advantage, as they refused to allow their foe to get any closer than 20 points the remainder of the night.
For the victors (2-0), four players reached at least 17 points, led by Deandra Luna with 19 points and 8 assists.
ALC (0-1) was led by Hall with 14 points. Senior guard Katie Moore and sophomore guard Hanna Kash added 12 points apiece while senior forward Jayla Spurlock contributed 11. Kash led the club with 3 assists. Hall and sophomore Bailey Brainard both nabbed 7 rebounds. Junior Ali May and freshman Jasmine Eley both contributed 2 steals.
Alice Lloyd finished shooting just 31.8% (21-66) from the field and 23.2% (7-30) from deep while connecting on 71.9% (23-32) from the foul line. They also added 45 rebounds, 12 assists, and 7 steals.
BC finished shooting 45.6% (36-79) from the floor and 35.3% (12-34) from behind the arc. They shot 81.8% (18-22) from the foul line. They also added 40 rebounds, 22 assists, and 13 steals.
Alice Lloyd played the next day against the host Bulldog squad. In a game that was tight throughout, Union prevailed 80-72. In the first stanza, seven different Lady Eagles scored, and this helped them jump ahead 21-17.
The second period was a much slower pace as ALC only sank 4-20 shots. However, they would still manage a slim 31-30 cushion at intermission.
As the third period began, the Lady Eagles fed the ball to Haley Hall, and the guard delivered. She would pump in 15 points over the ten-minute segment and help the visitors hold a slim 52-50 advantage.
The last period would see UC come back on the strength of 18 free throw attempts to regain the lead and pull out to the victory.
For the victors (2-0), four players reached double figures with Chariss Wilson leading her club with 22 points.
ALC (0-2) was led by Hall with 26 points. Senior guard Katie Moore and sophomore guard Hanna Kash added 12 and 11 points to the cause. Kash led with 3 steals while senior Jayla Spurlock hauled down 9 boards and tied Moore with 3 assists each.
Alice Lloyd finished shooting 35.5% (27-76) from the field and 33.3% (9-27) from deep while connecting on just 56.3% (9-16) from the foul line. They also added 40 rebounds, 32 assists, and 7 steals.
UC finished shooting 37.3% (22-59) from the floor and 33.3% (4-12) from behind the arc. They won the contest at the free-throw line as they shot 68.1% (32-47) from the foul line. The 31 foul shot discrepancy was simply too much to overcome. They also added 47 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals.
The Lady Eagles return to action on Monday as they play at Columbia (SC) College. Tipoff is at 5:30.