Fredericksburg, VA - The N.C. Wesleyan women's basketball team suffered its first loss of the 2024-25 season in a hard-fought 73-66 defeat at Mary Washington on Tuesday night. Despite a strong overall effort, the Bishops were edged out in a tightly contested matchup.

The Basics:
Score: N.C. Wesleyan 66, Mary Washington 73
Location/Venue: Fredericksburg, VA / William M. Anderson Center
Records: N.C. Wesleyan (3-1, 0-0 USA South), Mary Washington (3-5, 0-0 C2C)

Senior Nadia Simmons led the way for Wesleyan, continuing her impressive start to the season with fifteen points and nine rebounds, shooting 50% from the field. The Henderson, NC native was one of three players to reach double figures in scoring. Guard Leila Copeland also contributed significantly, scoring a season-high fourteen points while adding three rebounds. Copeland was efficient from the floor, going 5-of-9 from the field and 3-of-4 from the free-throw line. Freshman Shamaya Lynch added eleven points and five rebounds, shooting 80% (4-of-5) from the floor.

As a team, the Bishops shot 46.3% from the field and connected on 5-of-10 three-pointers. NCWU also outrebounded the Eagles 41-38 and played solid defense, holding Mary Washington to under 40% from the field. Wesleyan also found success in the paint, scoring 22 points inside, and got a strong lift from its bench with 23 points.

Up Next:

Following Thanksgiving, women's basketball will hit the road on Sunday afternoon at 2:00 to take on Lynchburg.