UT-Southern pulls away from William Carey in late-game comeback
HATTIESBURG, Miss. — William Carey fell to UT-Southern 81-68 Thursday night at Clinton Gym. The Lady Crusaders battled back and forth with the Firehawks throughout the game but could not contain the late surge from UT-Southern.
UT-Southern opened the scoring with a basket from Lauren Smith. Carey responded quickly with a jumper from Shaneal Corpuz, tying the game at 2-2. The game featured an up-tempo, back-and-forth style, with both teams exchanging baskets and free throws in the first quarter.
Carey took a 20-13 lead after a three-pointer from Addyson Sherer and a jumper from Sherer with three minutes remaining in the first quarter. UT-Southern closed the period strong, scoring the final five points, including two baskets from Ashley Dickey and a three from Smith to cut the lead to 20-18.
In the second quarter, Corpuz opened with a jumper to extend Carey’s lead, but UT-Southern’s defense tightened. Both teams struggled with fouls and turnovers, limiting scoring opportunities. Sherer hit a crucial three, giving Carey a 27-22 edge, but the Firehawks responded with baskets from Silkiari Vazquez-Troche and a three from Ramie Reid to tie the game at 29.
Jenna Garriga and Corpuz pushed Carey back ahead before halftime, with Garriga hitting two free throws to give the Lady Crusaders a 33-30 lead at the break.
Corpuz opened the third quarter with a basket to extend the lead to five. UT-Southern responded with a 6-0 run, taking a 36-35 advantage. The game stayed close, with Garriga and Corpuz trading baskets as the lead changed hands multiple times.
Midway through the quarter, Charlie Gamberine came off the bench and hit a three-pointer while drawing a foul. Her four-point play put Carey up 45-41. However, Dickey scored five straight points for UT-Southern to flip the lead, and the Firehawks closed the third on a strong note, with Dickey hitting a buzzer-beater to give the visitors a 55-48 advantage entering the final period.
In the fourth quarter, Smith scored early for UT-Southern, but Sherer answered with a three. Despite efforts to close the gap, Carey couldn’t slow the Firehawks. UT-Southern built a 67-55 lead by the midpoint of the quarter and maintained control to finish with an 81-68 win.
Sherer led Carey with 21 points, while Corpuz added 11. Leah Sutton contributed 10 points and nine rebounds for the Lady Crusaders. William Carey returns to action Saturday, February 21, hosting Blue Mountain Christian at 12 p.m. at Clinton Gym.
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