Wiley Wildcats Dominate SUNO with Second-Half Surge in HBCUAC Matchup

ByCoach

Wiley University’s women’s basketball team put on an electrifying show, rolling past Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) with a 65-49 win. The game went down Thursday night at The Castle, a standout spot in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference (HBCUAC).

The Wildcats (11-4, 6-2 HBCUAC) stumbled early but came alive in the second half. They outscored the Lady Knights (6-11, 1-9 HBCUAC) by a wide margin, thanks to some clutch plays and gritty defense.

Wiley Wildcats’ Second-Half Surge

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SUNO jumped out to an 18-13 lead after the first quarter. Wiley started chipping away in the second, refusing to let the game slip away.

Kelechi Dike dropped in a layup midway through the period. Not long after, Moriah Burley nailed a three-pointer, which helped Wiley take a slim 32-31 lead into halftime.

Key Players and Game-Changing Moments

Wiley really took over in the third quarter. Alexis Foster found her groove, putting up six points during this stretch.

Jessica Nerestant stood out on defense, grabbing two key steals that led to fast-break chances. Mijanae Berry added a layup, and the Wildcats’ defense clamped down, holding SUNO to just nine points in the third.

  • Jessica Nerestant: Led with 13 points and nine rebounds, shooting 6-of-9 from the field.
  • Keimora Banks: Scored 13 points, snagged five rebounds, and made a big steal.
  • Kelechi Dike: Added eight points and nine rebounds, staying active on the boards.
  • Alexis Foster: Contributed six points and dished out five assists.

Dominant Fourth Quarter

In the final quarter, the Wildcats left no doubt. Keimora Banks stepped up, scoring seven points, including a huge three-pointer that pushed the lead into double digits.

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Kendall Campbell and Cailan Hale added late buckets, putting the game out of SUNO’s reach.

Strategic Plays and Defensive Mastery

Wiley turned up the pressure in the second half, forcing turnovers and making them count. The Wildcats thrived off SUNO’s mistakes, turning defense into quick points.

Jessica Nerestant’s steals really set the tone, breaking up SUNO’s rhythm and sparking Wiley’s offense.

For a deeper dive into the game, you can check out the full story at the Marshall News Messenger.

Looking Ahead: Wiley’s Upcoming Challenges

This win bumps Wiley to 11-4 overall and 6-2 in the HBCUAC. The Wildcats have shown they can handle pressure, but tougher games are coming up soon.

If they keep defending like this and take advantage of scoring chances, they might just keep the momentum rolling.

Team Dynamics and Player Development

Wiley’s effort against SUNO really highlights how much teamwork matters. Players like Jessica Nerestant and Keimora Banks have stepped up, showing the squad’s depth.

Honestly, if they keep sharpening their skills and playing together, there’s no telling how far they can go this season.

Conclusion

Wiley University’s women’s basketball team fought hard and showed off their grit in their recent win over SUNO. They shook off a slow start, then really took control in the second half.

The Wildcats have raised the bar for their next games. If you’re a fan, you might want to keep an eye out for what they do next—something tells me they’re not done surprising us.

Curious about the full game breakdown or want to dig into the stats? Check out the Marshall News Messenger.

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