Contributed/ETSU Athletics

The Buccaneers women’s basketball team coasted to an easy victory on Saturday, Nov. 15, against the Claflin Lady Panthers, whom the Bucs hosted at home in Brooks Gym.

The Buccaneers had control from the tip, gunning to a quick 41-14 lead in the first half. They held Claflin to 21% fg and 33% from the 3-line. They improved to 1-3 on the season, and seem ready to carry this winning momentum into the next throw of games they have. They capped off their dominant performance with a much deserved 69-31 winning score when the final buzzer sounded.

The Buccaneers did show a forming pattern– a lull in their performance in the third quarter. In the first two quarters, the Bucs outscored Claflin 21-9 and then 20-5. Coming out of the halftime huddle, the Bucs put up  8 compared to Claflin’s 9 points in the third quarter. Four different ETSU players scored in the third, each putting up two points. While the depth in scoring is invaluable, it also let the third slip away since no one player took control and guided the Buccanneer offense. However, the Bucs have always played a strong fourth quarter. They found their footing and dominated the final 10 minutes, putting up 20 points and holding Claflin to 8 on 56% fg shooting.

The Buccaneers have shown control and poise in the face of even the toughest opponents, they just need to focus on improving their third quarter appearances. They scored 17 in the game against the Tennessee Lady Vols in the third, and 11 against Kennesaw State, showing a slight decline offensively. Defensively, they held up fantastically. They held Claflin to zero points in the paint in the third despite being outscored and held them to single-digit scoring totals for each quarter.

What does this mean for the Bucs? It means that they are in a good position to continue to improve as the season continues before conference play begins in January. They have time to continue to develop their roster and showcase what these talented players are capable of, they just need to continue to find and develop their consistency.

The Bucs will take on the University of Memphis on Saturday, Nov. 22, at 3 p.m. in Memphis, Tenn. For more information visit etsubucs.com/sports and click on the women’s basketball tab. 

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