JACKSONVILE, Fla. - The Lady Wildcats stepped up in the final game of the Osprey Holiday Classic, defeating tournament-host North Florida, 60-57. After coming back to tie it at halftime, the Lady Wildcats build a significant lead on the heels of five three-pointers by freshman Jasmine Elum, who was named to the All-Tournament team. B-CU fought off the UNF rally in the closing moments to collect their second road victory and move to 4-5 on the season.
“We were very prepared from last night in film and discussion with our young ladies about facing challenges and not feeling sorry for yourself, with the number of players we have injured," said Head Coach Vanessa Blair, “but to come out and fight. I thought from the beginning to the end of the game, our ladies came out and fought."
Early in the game, B-CU played aggressively on both defense and offense, but things weren't falling their way. Several (what looked like) perfectly-placed shots just sort of rolled off the outer edge of the rim. The Ospreys of North Florida began to slowly accumulate a lead by the second media timeout, as the Lady Wildcats struggled to get anything to fall. As always, B-CU was quick to change that once they got rolling, bringing it back to a one point game in just over a minute. Though UNF created some space each time, the B-CU rally was relentless, taking their first lead with just under three minutes to halftime. Heading into the locker room tied at 28, the Lady Wildcats had started to swing the momentum in their favor.
Though UNF got the first points on the board in the second period, B-CU quickly responded and made a 7-2 run to create their own space. The Lady Wildcats moved into double digits when they forced turnovers and scored on three straight possessions near the mid-point of the half. B-CU grew their lead to as many as 13, but foul calls plagued them as UNF started to chip away at the lead with free throws, bringing them back into the game. As Elum and Sarah Bolden found themselves on the bench, both in foul trouble, B-CU found troubles getting their own points on the board as UNF crept closer on the scoreboard.
Late turnovers put the game in jeopardy, as UNF made their own 7-0 run under two minutes to bring the margin to just one point. Solid defense had built the margin in the second and the B-CU defense came up with a key turnover when it counted, under a minute to play. Playing big in only her fourth game in Maroon and Gold, Elum iced two free throws to take it to a 3-point margin. UNF scored again, but fellow freshman DJ Fowler iced her own free throws with six seconds remaining to secure the win for B-CU, 60-57.
Defensively, the team finished up consecutive solid games, holding UNF's Brittany Kirkland to just 11, after she went off last night for 28 against Troy. On the season, Kirkland averages 16.1 per game. The Lady Wildcats created 13 steals of UNF's 24 turnovers on the game, including three by Sarah Bolden, while limiting their own to just 17.
"I was very impressed with our post defense," said Blair. "They (UNF) run a lot of their offense through their post and we had to be very aggressive down there. Cleniece [Roberts], Sarah [Bolden], and Mandi [Hairston] did a great job."
Jasmine Elum led all scorers in the game, collecting 23 points, including five three-pointers.and 4-of-4 from the free throw line. At the conclusion of the win, Elum was named to the All-Tournament team, after scoring 39 points, with eight three-pointers, across the two tournament games.
"We couldn't wait for her to get ready," said Blair of the freshman who only became eligible to play at semester, "and I'm just so happy that she is ready, mentally and physically. She's been itching to help this team out."
Classmate DJ Fowler led B-CU in the first half, and totaled 10 points in the game, and 3-of-4 from the line. Sarah Bolden topped the team in rebounds with 7, while Cleniece Roberts was just a step behind at 6 rebounds.
The Lady Wildcats catch a small holiday break before facing Flagler at 5:00 p.m., December 28th, in Moore Gym.
"Just like everybody else, we're going to take a few days off and go home and celebrate Christmas with our families. A much needed and well deserved break for our young ladies, who gave themselves an early Christmas present. We'll be back and ready to roll on the 26th,”Blair concluded.
