POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. – Vincennes University sophomore Elikya Baseyila (Paris, France) came away with a big game Friday night after facing the No. 12-ranked Three Rivers Lady Raiders as part of the 2023 Lady Raider Classic.
Baseyila led the Lady Blazers with 14 points and 11 rebounds, however it wasn't enough for Vincennes to pull the upset over the Lady Raiders, as Vincennes fell 90-49.
The Lady Blazers looked strong in the opening minutes Friday night, holding with the No. 12-ranked Raiders, before Three Rivers looked to take control of the game with an 11-2 scoring run to take a 22-12 lead.
Vincennes would battle back before the end of the opening quarter however, outscoring Three Rivers 7-1 to cut the Lady Raider lead down to four after 10 minutes of play.
Opening the second quarter Three Rivers again looked to break away from the Blazers, opening the quarter on an 8-2 scoring run to take a 31-21 lead.
Three Rivers would continue to grow this lead with an 11-2 scoring run to take a 42-25 advantage, before the two teams traded baskets to end the half with the Lady Raiders leading Vincennes 49-29 at the break.
The Lady Raiders looked to be fully in the driver's seat to begin the second half of play, holding VU to just six points in the third quarter to continue to build their lead to 70-35 heading into the final period.
After the Lady Raiders began the fourth quarter with six unanswered points, the Lady Blazers looked for one final push to cut into the Three Rivers lead.
Vincennes would try to cut into the deficit but were unable to put together a late scoring run as Three Rivers closed out the 90-49 victory to open the 2023 Lady Raider Classic.
VU was led offensively by Elikya Baseyila who finished with 14 points, 11 rebounds and a team-leading two steals and two blocks.
Sophomore Johnai Wimbleduff (Indianapolis, Ind.) came off the bench to score in double figures, ending with 10 points, five rebounds and a team-high three assists and two steals.
Sophomore Brie Miller (Bainbridge, Ind.) came off the bench as well to finish her night with seven points and three rebounds, while freshman Taylor Guess (Indianapolis, Ind.) got the start and finished with six points, three rebounds and two blocks.
Freshmen backcourt duo Giavonnie Belton (Indianapolis, Ind.) and Makyla Tucker (Indianapolis, Ind.) each scored six points Friday night, with Belton grabbing three rebounds and Tucker coming away with three assists and two steals.
The Lady Blazers will look to bounce back tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 11 when VU closes out the 2023 Lady Raider Classic against Moberly Area College at 2 p.m. eastern.
Vincennes defeated the Lady Greyhounds last weekend as part of the Orscheln Classic at Moberly Area 86-80.
BOX SCORE
VINCENNES (49) – Giavonnie Belton 3-12 0-0 6, Makyla Tucker 2-11 1-2 6, Taylor Guess 2-3 2-3 6, Elikya Baseyila 4-7 6-8 14, Maycee Lange 0-2 0-0 0, Katrina Scott 0-4 0-0 0, Darryn Hood 0-4 0-0 0, Najra Voloder 0-0 0-0 0, Brie Miller 2-3 3-4 7, Johnai Wimbleduff 4-9 2-5 10, Team 17-55 14-22 49.
VU (1-2) – 19 10 6 14 – 49
Three Rivers – 23 26 21 20 – 90
Three-point goals: VU 1 (Tucker). Rebounds: VU 29 (Baseyila 11). Assists: VU 12 (Tucker 3, Wimbleduff 3). Steals: VU 7 (Tucker 2, Baseyila 2, Wimbleduff 2). Blocked Shots: VU 6 (Guess 2, Baseyila 2, Lange 2). Turnovers: VU 39. Personal Fouls: VU 20. Fouled out: None. Technical Fouls: VU Bench (1-5:40, Administrative).