Wilmore, KY: The Alice Lloyd Lady Eagles traveled to Wilmore on Saturday for a River States Conference showdown with the Lady Eagles of Asbury University. The visitors played well and stayed close for the first eighteen minutes only to see the home team shoot the lights out from long range in the second half to win 105-76.
Alice Lloyd, which just lost starting center Bailee Brainard to a knee injury, came out well. The start of the game saw the two squads quickly get into an up-tempo style. Behind 8 points from junior guard Haley Hall and 6 more from junior center Alex Clifton, ALC was tied 16-16 after ten minutes of play.
In the second quarter, the hosts would keep the pressure on but the visitors were up to the challenge. They would trail by just two (39-37) with 2:03 remaining after Hall sank a jumper. However, the home club would finish with a trio of trifectas and take a 48-39 advantage going into the dressing room. Unfortunately, this was a preview of things to come.
In the third stanza, the Asbury club would drain five deep shots on their way to a huge 38-point outburst. Because of this, they would take a commanding 86-59 at periods end. In the final quarter, the visiting Lady Eagles ran out of steam as they could never get the deficit any closer.
For Alice Lloyd (9-9; 1-6 RSC), Hall sank 9-19 field goals (4-7 threes) and 5-5 free throws to lead the way with a game-high 27 points. She added a game-high 11 rebounds to complete the double-double. She also led the club with 3 assists. She was joined in double figures by freshman guard Jasmine Eley with 13 and senior guard Katie Moore with 11. Clifton and junior guard Ali May chipped in with 10 points each.
ALC shot 34.2% (27-79) from the field and 31.3% (10-32) from long range. They would finish at 70.6% (12-17) from the charity stripe. Additionally, they registered 40 rebounds, 11 assists, and 3 steals.
AU (15-5; 4-3 RSC) was led by Kelsey Johnson and Zaria Napier, each with 18 points. Their club connected on 48.8% (40-82) from the field and a staggering 53.8 % (21-39) from long range. At the foul line, they went 4-10 for 40%. They also had 52 rebounds, 23 assists, and 5 steals.
The Lady Eagles return to action this Tuesday when they return home to face defending conference champions West Virginia Tech University in a conference tilt at 5:30 pm.