Women's Basketball Strangle Union

ATHENS, Tenn.- Twenty-three forced turnovers, including 13 steals, helped the women's basketball team get back in the win column on Thursday. The team defeated the Union Commonwealth University Lady Bulldogs 65-47.

The strong defensive effort begin early with multiple stops that included missed shots and turnovers. Anna Crowder, Abbey Barr, and Jaci Powell combined to help the team take an early 9-2 lead. The offense stalled for TWU over the next several minutes as a Powell layup was the only remaining score for the team in the first quarter. Despite Union Commonwealth's attempts to rally, TWU ended the quarter with a slim 11-10 lead.

Union took their first lead of the game with the opening basket of the second quarter. Powell drained a three-pointer to give TWU a temporary 14-13 advantage. The opponents continued to put up points, but baskets by Crowder and Alexis Bates helped the team keep pace. Julia Howard's jumper changed the lead for the final time, making the score 21-20 in favor of Tennessee Wesleyan. TWU expanded their lead to 26-22 by halftime.

TWU turned up the defensive pressure in the third quarter, limiting Union Commonwealth to just eight points and forcing 10 turnovers. Steals by Jacelyn Stone and Powell disrupted the visitors' rhythm, while Crowder and Courtney Farr capitalized with layups as a part of a 11-4 run over the last five minutes of the third quarter. Powell's three-pointer extended the Bulldogs' lead to 39-30, and TWU never looked back.

In the final quarter, TWU exploded offensively, scoring 26 points to secure the win. Stone and Crowder combined for back-to-back layups, while Farr added a mid-range jumper to stretch the lead to double digits. A pair of free throws by Stone helped the team take their largest lead of the game, a 61-41 advantage, and a Barr three-pointer helped the team win the game by the 18-point margin.

Powell led the offense with 19 points while Crowder contributed 16 points. 

A three-game homestand concludes on Wednesday with a game against Bryan College. The AAC rivals will play at 5:30 p.m.