In their 2016 debut, the Bryan Lions Women’s Basketball team tipped off their season with a 72-48 routing of The Sun Conference opponent, Webber International University (Fla.), led by Erisha Talley in scoring with 18 points, followed by Tristan McClellan with 11 points, and Megan Billingsby who dominated the glass with 18 rebounds. The commanding win helped support the high expectations for the Lions this season as they were ranked just shy of the top-25 and are receiving votes in the preseason poll.
The only team picked ahead of Bryan in the Appalachian Athletic Conference is 24th ranked Milligan College (Tenn.) who the Lions shared the 2015-16 regular-season championship with.
Talley pieced together an impressive performance with 18 points on 6-of-11 shooting to lead the team in scoring. She was 6-for-8 from the foul line and, secured four rebounds, and led the team with two steals. McClellan went 2-for-5 from the floor, 1-of-2 behind the arc, and a spotless 6-for-6 in free throws. She also led in the assists column with four. Billingsby started the beginning of her senior year on a strong note with eight points after going 4-for-7 in the game and controlled the boards with 18 total rebounds, which was only five less rebounds than Webber had as a team (23). She recorded the Lions’ lone block. Amber Levi matched Billingsby with eight points and did it on 3-of-7 shooting and knocked down 1-of-2 from deep. In her first game as a Lion, Keniesha Love was extremely efficient in completing 2-of-2 shooting and 3-of-3 at the foul line. Savanna Cummings will be a danger from downtown as she went 2-for-2 for six points.
As a team, Bryan outrebounded Webber 41-23 and shot 47.1 percent from the field while the Warriors were 29.5 percent for the game. Webber struggled from the three-point line shooting 21.1 percent, and Bryan was 5-for-8 for 62.5 percent. Bryan finished the game 19-for-25 from the foul line, and Webber was 8-for-12.
Besides back-to-back buckets made by Webber two minutes into the first quarter allowing the Warriors the lead, it was the only time that Bryan allowed Webber in front. Trailing 6-7, the Lions sparked a 10-0 run to go ahead 16-7. Three of Kristin Lane’s four points in the contest came with 3:34 on the clock in the first when she drilled a three-point shot after being assisted by Love to provide Bryan with their first double-digit lead of the game, 19-9. In the final minutes, the Warriors battled to cut the lead to four, 20-16, as the first quarter came to a close.
The Lions remained ahead but was unable to create any separation as the Warriors were fouled while shooting a three-pointer. The Webber was successful on all three free throws, making it a one-point game, 22-21. As the rest of the second quarter unfolded, it would be the difference maker in the ballgame for the Lions. Talley initiated the rally with two made foul shots and followed it up with a made two-pointer. McClellan was fouled and continued to build the lead with two made free throws. Cummings nailed a three-pointer, making the lead double-digits once again. Two additional foul shots from Talley ended the 11-0 run as the Lions controlled a 33-21 edge. The Warriors countered with a three-point basket with 52 second remaining in the half, but Cummings responded with a shot from deep before the horn sounded, bringing the score to 36-24.
It was all Bryan in the third quarter as they constantly added to their score, eventually creating a 17-point advantage as the quarter ended, 50-33. A free throw by Lane and field goal by Talley put the Lions up by 20 less than one minute into the final period, 53-33. The closest Webber came to Bryan was when they climbed their way to within 13 points, 54-41, but the Warriors couldn’t keep the momentum going as the Lions constructed 10 unanswered points in the final minutes for a 26-point lead, 70-44. In the closing seconds, Webber was able to make two free throws that brought the final score to 72-48.
Up next for the Bryan Lions is an exhibition match against a talented side in the Flames of Lee University slated for 12pm on Saturday, Nov. 5. The game is part of Lee’s annual Homecoming weekend. The talent runs deep at Lee as the Lions will face three experienced juniors including All-South Region guard Erin Walsh (17.6 ppg), forwards Carrie Cheeks (10.3 ppg and 6.4 rpg) and Shelby Brown (9.2 ppg and 4.7 rpg).