Women's Basketball Drops Back-and-Forth Game to Johnson

KNOXVILLE, Tenn.- Before the Thanksgiving holiday, the women's basketball team went on the road for an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) game on Tuesday. The team traveled up to Knoxville to face the Johnson University Lady Royals.

A layup by Anna Crowder and a three-point basket by Jaci Powell helped the Lady Bulldogs take a 5-0 lead to begin the game. Cambree Mayo made the run 8-2 with her three-pointer and Sierra Bates extended the lead to 10-2 with a layup. The team held a 14-12 lead after free throws by Jacelyn Stone and a layup by Ella Crowder to end the first quarter. 

The opponents scored four straight points to take the lead before a pair of free throws by Mikalee Martin put the game in a 16-16 tie. Johnson broke the tie with 10 straight points, putting TWU in a double-digit hole. Alexis Bates broke the scoring drought with four straight points to make the score 26-21. Abbey Barr's three-point jumper made the score 29-24 but the team went into halftime trailing 32-24.

Johnson took a double-digit lead in the opening minutes of the third quarter. Four straight points by Stone helped them cut the deficit down to single digits, and A. Crowder made the score 38-31 with a pair of free throws. Martin made two consecutive three-point baskets to cut the lead down to 42-38. With 42 seconds left in the third quarter, a fourth consecutive free throw by A. Crowder tied the score 42-42. Johnson had the last basket of the quarter, taking a two-point lead into the fourth quarter. 

With 7:07 left in the game, Martin knocked down a three-point basket to put the game in a 50-50 tie. Martin tied the game again with a layup and Stone gave the team a 54-52 with a layup. Barr's three-point shot moved the lead to 57-52 with 3:59 left. Johnson battled back to tie the game, a tie that Mayo broke with her three-point basket to make the score 61-58. The opponents tied the score again, this time breaking the tie themselves to take a 64-61 lead. A. Crowder scored one more for the team but they were unable to find the remaining points needed to send the game into overtime, falling 67-63. 

Martin led the team with 16 points in the win while A. Crowder added 11 points. A. Crowder also led with eight rebounds.

After the Thanksgiving break, the Lady Bulldogs (3-3, 2-3 AAC) will go on the road for a non-conference game against Welch College. The game on Tuesday is set for 7:00 p.m., ET.