DOVER, Del. – Alexis Stroud came off the bench to score 17 points, leading the Wesley College women's basketball team to a 79-67 win in its home opener against Widener on Tuesday night at Wentworth Gymnasium. Both teams now stand at 3-2 on the season.
A freshman from Smyrna, Del., Stroud sunk all ten of her free throws while grabbing five rebounds and dishing out four assists. Three other local products also scored in double figures for Wesley, including Brionna Johnson, Stroud's high school teammate, who tallied her fifth-straight double-double to open the year (20 points, 14 rebounds), Roniece Williams (14 points, six rebounds, five assists) and Tiyanna Gibbs (11 points, four steals).
Also having solid all-around games for the Navy & White were Tiara White (eight points, eight rebounds, three assists, four steals) and Brittney Kerns (five points, three rebound, three assists, three steals). Kiara Johnson also provided a spark off the bench defensively and drew key fouls to put the Pride into foul trouble.
The Wolverines shot an impressive 26-of-55 (47.3%) from the field and great ball movement led to 19 of those baskets being assisted. Six different players had at least two assists for Wesley.
Both teams battled back-and-forth for much of the first half but with 9:01 left on the clock, Widener took its largest lead at 27-22. Five-straight Wolverines free throws tied the score before Williams and Brionna Johnson sunk back-to-back threes to give Wesley a 33-29 advantage. Stroud then made six free throws down the stretch and Wesley took a 43-35 advantage into halftime.
Widener fought hard to claw its way back into the game, cutting the deficit to just three points with 7:29 remaining on a layup by Ally Ferrucci. Wesley head coach James Wearden then called a full timeout, substituted Brionna Johnson, who made an immediate three, back into the game, starting a 6-0 run.
The Pride answered with a three-point-play the old fashioned way but Willams drained a jumper and Johnson hit a couple free throws to seal the victory for Wesley.
Capital Athletic Conference action opens on Sunday, November 30 when the Wolverines travel to York (Pa.) for a 2 pm tipoff.