Women's Basketball Survive and Advance in AAC Tournament Opener

KINGSPORT, Tenn.- The women's basketball team won their opening game in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Tournament on Wednesday. The team defeated the No. 10-seeded Union Commonwealth University Lady Bulldogs 60-57 to advance to the next round.

Tennessee Wesleyan started the game with strong defensive intensity, forcing early turnovers and limiting Union Commonwealth's shot opportunities. Courtney Farr grabbed a defensive rebound after a missed layup by the opposition, setting the tone for the Lady Bulldogs' aggressive rebounding effort.

Jacelyn Stone provided the first points for TWU, converting a layup to tie the game at 2-2. The Bulldogs continued to execute well, with Jaci Powell making a crucial layup off an offensive rebound, followed by Anna Crowder draining a three-pointer to give Wesleyan an early 7-6 lead.

Defensive pressure from the Lady Bulldogs led to multiple steals, including key plays from Stone and Julia Howard. Powell added another layup to extend the lead to 9-6, forcing Union Commonwealth to take a timeout. Tennessee Wesleyan finished the first quarter up 16-13.

The Lady Bulldogs extended their advantage in the second quarter, with Powell and Crowder leading the charge offensively. A three-pointer from Powell and a mid-range jumper from Crowder pushed TWU's lead to 22-13. The Lady Bulldogs' defense continued to create problems for Union Commonwealth, leading to fast-break opportunities that Powell and Crowder capitalized on. By halftime, Tennessee Wesleyan had built a solid 35-28 advantage.

The Lady Bulldogs maintained their composure in the third quarter, continuing to push the tempo. Farr and Powell knocked down crucial free throws, while Jalaya Lindsey added an important three-pointer to keep Wesleyan ahead. Despite a push from Union Commonwealth, the Bulldogs outscored their opponents 18-17 in the quarter, taking a 53-45 lead into the final period.

Union Commonwealth made a late surge in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to just three points with under a minute to play. However, Tennessee Wesleyan's defense held firm, with Crowder grabbing a crucial rebound off a missed free throw. Powell sealed the win by sinking the final basket, giving the Lady Bulldogs a 60-57 victory.

Powell led with 17 points while Crowder added 15 points.

Up next for the Lady Bulldogs (16-13) is the quarterfinal round against the No. 2 seed, Johnson University. The tournament game is set to begin at 3:30 p.m.