Mustangs accept second loss in Jean Beamer Tipoff Championship

SALEM, Va. – Stevenson women's basketball ended their three-game winning streak against the Piedmont University Lions in the championship game of the Jean Beamer Tipoff Classic,  Sunday afternoon at Roanoke College. The final score was 74-50.
 
Junior guard Emori Jeselskis got the Mustangs on the board in the opening quarter with a three- pointer 16 seconds into the game. The Mustangs managed five scoring opportunities, with a three-pointer from sophomore forward Tessa Boswell to bring the team to 10 points at 6:39, and another from first-year guard Elia Richardson on a fastbreak at 5:27. The opening quarter wrapped at 23-15 as the Mustangs trailed.
 
The Mustangs got the first scoring chance in the second quarter with a good free throw from junior forward Stephenae Lawrence following a dead ball rebound. With 10 more points going into halftime, Jeselskis and Boswell had three-pointer opportunities, with sophomore forward Destiny Towns sinking the last jumper to bring the Mustangs to 25 points with 43 seconds remaining.
 
Adding nine points in the third, Jeselskis answered a layup from the Lions with 9:23 remaining, and first-year guard Amoni Taylor brought the team to 30 points on a fast break with 2:48 remaining. She added another jumper just over a minute later. Sophomore forward Sanaa Thorne ended the quarter with a jumper with 34 seconds remaining, bringing the score to 57-34 with the Piedmont Lions ahead.
 
Managing 16 points in the final quarter, Taylor pushed the team to 38 points on the afternoon. Boswell brought the Mustangs' score to 41 with 4:52 remaining. Stevenson first-year forward Janie Smith had the last field goal chance for the team at 2:56. Successful free throws helped the Mustangs as first-year forward Marissa Struhar was successful in the paint with three seconds left. The final score was 74-50 in favor of the Lions.
 
Jeselskis led the Mustangs with nine points. Boswell and Taylor each added eight while Lawrence led with six total rebounds. Richardson managed three steals on the afternoon.
 
The Mustangs stay on the road as they travel to St. Mary's College of Maryland for a 6 p.m. tipoff on Wednesday, November 29, following the Thanksgiving break.