SPORTS

DAVIDSON, N.C. — The Davidson Wildcats won their first game of the 2021-22 season on Sunday in front of their home crowd, downing Jacksonville State 69-58 on McKillop Court.

Chloe Welch and Adelaide Fuller led the Davidson scorers, tallying 12 points apiece while Elle Sutphin was right behind with 11 of her own. Fuller and Sutphin also led on the glass for the ‘Cats as the two grabbed nine and eight rebounds, respectively. Cassidy Gould had a complete-game performance for the Wildcats, scoring seven points, dishing five assists and grabbing four rebounds.

Davidson cruised through a steady first half, torching the nets at a 50 percent clip from the field on 13-of-26 shooting, while holding the Gamecocks to just a 16.7 percent effort from the floor.  Welch hit three of her last four field goal attempts in the first half, while junior Cameron Tabor added six points and five rebounds to the score-sheet, to push the ‘Cats to a 32-20 lead heading into the break.

Opening up the second half of play, Fuller hit a layup to extend Davidson’s lead to 14 points before JSU ignited a 13-0 run to pull back within one of the ‘Cats, 34-33. From there, rookie Issy Morgan took matters into her own hands, ending the Gamecocks’ streak with a made tip-in and sank the consequential and-one opportunity from the free throw line.

After ending the third quarter with a 10-point lead, JSU clawed back from another deficit and came within two of Davidson at 52-50. But, the ‘Cats turned up the heat for the final seven minutes of regulation, going on a 19-6 run capped off by a Sarah Konstans three-pointer to end the night.

Up Next
Davidson will travel to the District on Wednesday night, to take on Georgetown from Capital One Arena. Tip off is scheduled for 7 p.m.