This unexpected win is the 100th for head coach Karen Kemp, who’s been with the Lady Bucs for eight years.
“If we can get our momentum going during the Southern Conference, I’ll be happy,” she said. “The team that wins the tournament will make it to the NCAA, and we need to focus on that. I’m proud of the girls. We worked hard and it happened.”
ETSU’s first half was all about the defense, while in the second half Kiya Verdell dominated the court with 13 points in her wake by the game’s end. The junior guard had several consecutive three-pointers and went 4-of-5 from the field during the second half.
“Her injuries have kind of slowed her up,” Kemp said of Verdell’s performance. “But I can tell she is getting her confidence back.”
Misty Copas led the team with a game-high 14 points with 4-for-7 from the floor and 6-for-8 from the free-throw line.
Close behind were Kiya Verdell and Erin Thurman with 13 points each and Lauren Trantham with 10 points in the game.
Ashley Reed also held her own with notable defense and a total of eight points, as well as the three-pointer that won the game for the Lady Bucs in the last few seconds.
“Ashley did a great job pushing the ball,” Kemp said. “She played good defense out there.”
Leading the game by the second half with the score 32-28, the Lady Bucs were ahead in rebounds, 27-19.
A 22-7 run during the last six minutes of the game boosted the lead, but Verdell’s two consecutive three-pointers was what sealed the fate of the game.
Western Carolina’s center Laura Echols had 13 points in the game and nine rebounds, while Marsh McGillivary’s layup boosted the second-half run for the Lady Catamounts to 9-3.
She had 11 points total for the game.
Janetta Heggins also had a game-high 13 points, as well as four assists.
On Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. the Lady Bucs ( 10-14, 5-10 in the Southern Conference) will travel to UNC-Greensboro’s stadium to take on the conference leaders.

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