Despite 28 points and six triples from redshirt junior Sydney Wagner, William and Mary women’s basketball (6-7, 3-5 CAA) dropped the second half of its doubleheader against the College of Charleston (5-3, 1-1 CAA) Jan. 24, falling 69-66.
The Cougars’ five double-figure scorers proved too much for the Tribe to overcome, accounting for all but two of their team’s points.
The teams earned similar field goal and three-point percentages, but the Tribe making just one of the eight threes it attempted in the fourth quarter was a key element in their narrow defeat.
They still outscored the Cougars in the final period, but after falling behind 11 points, 25-14, after the first quarter it was an uphill climb.
Adding to Wagner’s 28, which fell just three points short of her season high 31, was a double-double from senior guard/forward Bailey Eichner that consisted of 13 points and 10 rebounds, her season-high for points.
Senior guard Nyla Pollard added nine points and sophomore guard/forward Bre Bellamy pitched in six.
In addition, the Cougars outrebounded the Tribe 50-30, getting multiple extra shot attempts and possessions to help counterbalance their 20 turnovers.
The Tribe did pass the ball well, logging 16 assists to the Cougars’ 10.
Leading the way for the Cougars was junior guard Tyler Collins’ 19 points, freshman guard Tyler Gray’s 15 points and 8 rebounds, as well as junior forward Arynn Eady’s 12 points and 13 rebounds.
The Tribe returns home for a doubleheader next weekend, facing off against Towson at 2 p.m. in Kaplan arena Jan. 30 and 31, as the Tribe attempts to return to or eclipse .500 on the season.