PORTSMOUTH, Ohio — WVU Tech women's basketball closed out its Bear Classic trip with a hard-fought win Saturday afternoon, knocking down 13 three-pointers in a 77–71 victory over Madonna University. The result moves the Golden Bears to 4–1 overall and caps a 2–0 weekend in Portsmouth.
The Golden Bears (4–1) shot 56.3 percent in the first quarter and used a late jumper from Alexis Sexton to take a 22–20 lead after 10 minutes. WVU Tech then strung together its best perimeter stretch of the day in the second quarter, hitting five threes—including two from Kyra Brown and one each from Sexton, Halle Crouse and Emily Wratchford—to build a double-digit cushion. A Stewart free throw and late defensive stand sent Tech to the locker room in front 44–36.
Madonna (2–2) responded after halftime, outscoring WVU Tech 21–16 in the third period and tying the game at 57–57 on a three from Lizzy Liedel in the final minute. Stewart answered immediately, burying a right-wing three with 25 seconds left to send the Golden Bears into the fourth quarter up 60–57.
The Crusaders grabbed a brief 61–60 lead early in the fourth, but WVU Tech controlled the final stretch. Stewart knocked down another three to put Tech back in front, then later converted a layup and a deep three from the top of the key to help push the margin to 71–63. From there, Brown and Sexton combined to go 7-of-10 at the foul line in the final 2:30, and the Golden Bears closed the game on a 17–10 run to seal the six-point win.
Golden Bear Highlights
Cadence Stewart delivered a game-high 24 points on an efficient 7-of-11 from the field and 6-of-8 from three, adding two assists and a steal. Her six made three-pointers are a season best for WVU Tech and powered a perimeter attack that went 13-of-28 (46.4 percent) from long range.
Kyra Brown sparked the backcourt off the bench with 15 points, including 2-of-6 from three and 5-of-6 at the free-throw line. Brown scored seven in the fourth quarter alone and finished with three rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Emily Wratchford continued to provide punch in reserve, totaling 11 points (3-of-6 FG, 2-of-3 3PT, 3-of-4 FT), four rebounds and two assists. Alexis Sexton added a well-rounded line of 11 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals, while Emmanuella Amaefula chipped in six points, two rebounds and three assists, helping Tech handle Madonna's pressure.
Halle Crouse contributed five points and a team-high five rebounds in 11 minutes, and Alaira Evans and Mikayla Stacy each knocked down a three as part of a bench unit that outscored Madonna's reserves 34–13.
As a team, WVU Tech finished 24-of-56 (42.9 percent) from the floor, 13-of-28 (46.4 percent) from three and 16-of-22 (72.7 percent) at the line, committing just 10 turnovers and matching Madonna with five second-chance points.
How Tech Stacked Up vs. Madonna's Numbers
Madonna entered the day averaging 73.7 points on 42.0 percent shooting, while holding opponents to 70.3 points and 41.2 percent from the field through its first three contests. WVU Tech:
- Scored 77 points, the highest total allowed by the Crusaders so far and well above their 70.3 opponent average.
- Shot 42.9 percent from the field, better than the 41.2 percent that Madonna had been allowing.
- Held the Crusaders to 71 points, slightly under their early-season 73.7 ppg.
- Limited Madonna to 27.8 percent from three (5-of-18), below its previous 31.1 percent clip from deep.
Even while being outscored 46–14 in the paint, WVU Tech flipped the game on the perimeter and with its depth, winning the three-point line (39 points to 15) and the bench scoring battle (34–13).
Season Totals (through Nov. 15)
Record: 4–1 overall
- Points per game: 72.8
- Rebounds per game: 43.8
- Assists per game: 16.4
- Field goal percentage: 38.9
- Three-point percentage: 32.1
- Free-throw percentage: 67.3
Team Leaders (season averages)
What's Next
WVU Tech continues non-conference play Thursday, November 20, traveling to Salem University for a 5:30 p.m. tipoff in Salem, West Virginia.
