CCU

Women's Basketball Holds Off Stetson for 51-49 Victory

       

Women's Basketball Holds Off Stetson for 51-49 Victory

More Information:    

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Sophomore Jessica Noll (Myrtle Beach, S.C./St. James) felt right at home in Myrtle Beach, knocking down a career-high 20 points to lead the Coastal Carolina University women’s basketball team past Stetson 51-49 Saturday, Dec. 20 at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center in game one of the Crescent Bank Carolina’s Challenge. Noll, a Myrtle Beach native, hit three of her four three-pointers in the second half. The Chanticleers improve to 8-4 on the season, while Stetson slips to 4-5 overall.

 

With both teams struggling to find an offensive groove on the floor, the Chants found seven of their first nine points at the free-throw line, shooting an impressive 7-for-8 from the line, to take a 9-7 lead with 11:09 left in the frame. With 12:38 remaining in the half, the Chanticleers were shooting 12.5 from the field, while Stetson had the edge, shooting 16.7 percent. A three-pointer by Ashli Jackson gave Stetson a 16-15 lead, but it was quickly erased by an 11-1 Chanticleer run, which built the largest lead of the game at 26-17. Despite shooting only 28.6 percent from the floor, Coastal Carolina would hold a 26-19 advantage at the break.

 

Junior Kendra Reynolds (South Bend, Ind./Riley (Olney Central J.C.) tallied another two points at the free-throw line to give Coastal Carolina a 28-19 advantage in the opening minutes of the second half. Stetson would cut the lead to four at 28-24, but Noll responded from downtown to stretch the lead back to seven points at 33-26, with 14:47 left in the game. Stetson grabbed the next seven points, but sophomore Sydnei Moss (North Augusta, S.C.) hit a jumper to put the Chants ahead 35-33 with 10 minutes left on the clock. On the ensuing possession, Stetson’s Brittany Carannante drove to basket for two and drew the foul, converting a three-point play, as the Hatters earned their first lead of the second frame at 36-35.

 

The teams would trade the lead five more times, before Moss pulled up and hit a clean jumper to give Coastal Carolina the 47-45 advantage, which they held onto until time expired.

 

Noll went 7-for-14 from the field, 2-for-2 at the free throw line and added five rebounds. Moss followed with seven points and 13 rebounds, which ties a career best.

 

Coastal Carolina shot 30.9 percent from the field, but had its best outing from behind the arc knocking down a season-high six three-pointers in the contest. Stetson finished the game shooting 28.3 percent from the floor. The Chanticleers were 11-of-13 from the free throw line, while Stetson was 12-of-17 at the line. The Chants outrebounded Stetson 48-39.

 

The Chanticleers will break for the holidays and then head to the Yellowhammer State for a meeting with Alabama State Monday, Dec. 29. Opening tip is set for 6 p.m. (EDT).