By Chad Clevenger
PLAINVIEW, Tex. (CCCTigers.com) – The Tigers led more than they trailed, as they gave the Nationally Ranked Wayland Baptist Flying Queens a scare on their home court on Saturday Afternoon. Chloe Clevenger had a double-double with 23 points, and 10 Rebounds, but it was not enough as the Tigers fell 89-78, and fell to 2-4 on the season.
The Tigers jumped out to a quick lead 21-16 lead after the 1st, and led most of the 2nd quarter as the Queens tied it up at the half 39-39. The Tigers led for the 1st 3 and a half minutes until a Tiger Foul and a Tiger Technical foul, with the score tied at 46, sparked a 6-0 Wayland run, and the Flying Queens would lead the remainder of the game, with the Tigers keeping the game close.
The Tigers knew they would have their hands full defending All-American Megan Nestor. They were able to defend her and hold her to 1-8 shooting and 3 points in the 1st half, with the Defense of Cristina Laudan, Alexandria Craig, Dasha Eugene, and Rachel Ellis. Laudan had 4 blocked shots on the game. However, in the 2nd half, the Flying Queens went to their All-American and Nestor was able to put up 11 points in the 3rd and 10 in the 4th, for 24 points on the game, and the Tigers upset bid came up short.
The Tigers bench provided a spark with Kayla Hall’s 11 points, and Craig had her best minutes of the season, with 4 points, and good defensive minutes on Nestor. The Craig, Eugene, and Ellis post trio off the bench was a combined 3-4 shooting with 9 points, and 7 rebounds. Outside of Clevenger’s 2nd Double-Double of the season, Hallee Winsea added 14 points.
Key Stat: The Tigers led National Ranked Wayland for 19:21 of the game. The Tigers also hit 14 three pointers.
Tiger Leaders:
Points: Chloe Clevenger (23)
Rebounds: Chloe Clevenger (10)
Assists: Charmayne Marshall (6)
Steals: Kayla Hall (2), Charmayne Marshall (2)
Blocks: Cristina Laudan (4)
Coach’s Comment:
“We played probably the best team in our conference and showed ourselves we belong! Wayland is very athletic, very tall, and very well coached. I am very proud of how we played. We went toe to toe with them in all aspects of the game and I couldn’t be more excited about how we played! I really like when we compete, when we play hard and compete, good things happen! We have some things to clean up, but that’s easy when the effort is there.”
-Coach Willems
The Tigers (2-4), have a quick turnaround as they well go to #RV Mid America Christian University (6-0) on Monday Night. Tip is scheduled for 6pm, and can be seen on the SAC Sports Network.
