Saturday, December 28, 2019

Cedarville's 3-Point Shooting Dismantles Salem University


Today (Saturday, November 23, 2019) is a special day. Today, I finally get to do something which I have wanted to do for two years. Inside of Cedarville University’s (CU) Callan Athletic Center (CAC), I am presently sitting. Since November 2017, I have not been to CAC. Being a Freelance Sports Writer takes me to so many different arenas and stadiums. Going to so many places provides me with a vast array of experiences. No matter where my writing (and love of sports) both take me, only one place takes the #1 Spot within my heart. That place is CU’s CAC. I have never been to any arena or stadium where I have been treated in such a great manner. As soon as I walk through CAC’s doors, I feel the love. The CU Athletic Department Staff makes sure that I am always comfortable. I truly appreciate the concern for both my comfort and needs. Added to today’s overall experience is one simple fact. It is one thing to be able to write about any basketball game. It is another thing when the basketball game (which I am about to cover and will eventually write about) involves my Favorite College Basketball Team. Almost more important than my love of writing is the fact that I am a SPORTS FAN. I am a HUGE Fan of CU’s Women’s Basketball Program. Any chance I get, I will forever be willing to cover one of the team’s games. Today’s forthcoming game is no different.

            Salem University’s (SU) Lady Tigers Basketball Team finds itself as today’s opponent. Playing against CU’s Women’s Basketball Team (inside of CAC) is never an easy task. I have witnessed many teams succumb to the pressures of playing in this gymnasium. For SU’s Lady Tigers, will today provide a positive outcome or a negative outcome? I am about to find out. Salem University won the Official Tip-Off. The Lady Tigers was unable to score. At 9:41, a Jump Ball was called at the basket. Cedarville was awarded possession. Just like Salem, Cedarville was unable to score too. After ending up with the ball again, Salem’s Offense committed a Traveling Violation (Turnover). With 9:09 on the clock, the game’s first points were scored. The Lady Yellow Jackets’ Abby Wolford hit a 3-Point Basket. Fifteen seconds later (8:54), SU’s Nia Bishop countered with a 3-Point Basket. Soon thereafter, CU’s Emily Chapman nailed a 3-Point Basket. From 8:23 to 5:39, gameplay was messy. Salem committed 5-Turnovers. Cedarville had 1-Turnover. Cedarville managed to only outscore Salem 4-0. By the score of 10-3, CU leads SU.

            Before a Media Timeout at 4:51, each team nailed one 3-Point Basket. Salem’s Precious Price was first. Cedarville’s Stevie Johnting soon followed. This game has started with a rather quick pace. Cedarville is doing rather well with its shooting. Plus, the team is spreading the floor in a positive manner. After the Media Timeout, Johnting soon nailed another 3-Point Basket (4:36). Near the 4:00 mark, the Lady Yellow Jackets ended up with the ball again. This time, the team turned the ball over. A minute later, the Lady Tigers’ Aaliyah Holmes successfully converted 2-Foul Shots. CU leads SU 16-8. From 1:39 to 26.0-Seconds, the Lady Tigers’ Bishop and teammate Kayla Hall each made a 2-Point Basket. With 3.5 Seconds remaining in the 1st Quarter, Chapman dropped another 3-Point Basket. At the end of the 1st Quarter, Cedarville leads Salem 20-12. The 3-Point Basket has been Cedarville’s best friend. It has allowed the team to keep distance between itself and Salem.

            When the 2nd Quarter got underway, Salem started with possession of the ball. The Lady Tigers soon went on a 4-0 Scoring Run. During the process, Cedarville committed an Offensive Foul (Turnover). From 8:39 to 6:19, the Lady Yellow Jackets outscored the Lady Tigers 8-0. Isabelle Bolender made 1-Foul Shot. Chapman hit a 3-Point Basket. Ashlyn Huffman made two 2-Point Baskets. CU’s lead became 28-16. At 5:28, Salem’s Reeva Jackson made 2-Foul Shots. Right before a Media Timeout (4:40), Cedarville’s Paige Garr made a 3-Point Basket. Cedarville now leads Salem 31-18. With the 3-Point Basket, Cedarville is increasing its lead. The team is beginning to take full-control of this game. Coming out of the Media Timeout, Salem went on to commit 3-Turnovers. Cedarville committed 1-Turnover. The Lady Tigers’ Tamia Tart made 1-Foul Shot. The Lady Yellow Jackets’ Lexi Moore made 2-Foul Shots. Cedarville’s lead is 14-Points (33-19).

            During the 2nd Quarter’s final 2:11, Cedarville outscored Salem 7-5. During the process, Wolford scored 5-Points. At the end of the 2nd Quarter (and First Half), Cedarville leads Salem 40-24. Salem is lucky to be down by only 16-Points. With the way Cedarville is playing, the lead could be much higher. After the Halftime Break, each team started with 1-Turnover. At 8:45, Garr scored the first points. She nailed a 3-Point Basket. The Yellow Jackets’ Defense ended up with a steal. However, the team did not score points. With 6:44 on the clock, the Lady Tigers’ Endia Jones made 1-Foul Shot. Bolender countered with a 4-0 run. Salem turned the ball over. That led to CU’s Abby Freeman making a 3-Point Basket. With 4:42 remaining in the 3rd Quarter, a Media Timeout was called. CU leads SU 50-25.

            At 4:13, Bishop hit a 3-Point Basket. How does Cedarville respond? Cedarville outscores Salem 8-2. Alli Roh and Isabelle Bolender each scored 4-Points. At the 2:24 mark, a Timeout was called. Salem trails Cedarville 58-30. Eight seconds after the Timeout (2:16), Holmes made 2-Foul Shots. However, Cedarville did not take its foot off the pedal. The Lady Yellow Jackets came right back with a 4-0 run. Then, Holmes nailed a 3-Point Basket. The 3rd Quarter’s final 35.2-Seconds had Johnting picking up 2-Points. Salem’s Nerea Arambarri Fernandez made 1-Foul Shot. The Lady Tigers’ Defense acquired a Steal too. At the end of the 3rd Quarter, CU leads SU 64-36. When the 4th Quarter started, Cedarville had possession of the ball. The Lady Yellow Jackets did not score. At 9:24, Salem’s Tamia Tart hit a 3-Point Basket.

            With 8:54 on the scoreboard, Roh made a 2-Point Basket. During the play, she was fouled. Her 1-Foul Shot was good. Seven seconds later (8:47), Bishop was standing at the Free Throw Line.  She completed 1-Foul Shot Attempt. Eventually, Cedarville’s Offense committed a 3-Second Violation (Turnover). An ensuing Injury Timeout soon took place. From 6:51 to 5:05, each team scored 4-Points. At the 4:57 mark, a Media Timeout was called. Cedarville’s lead is now 71-44.  After the Media Timeout, Cedarville ended up committing 2-Turnovers. Salem outscored Cedarville 8-0. Price scored 4-Points. With 3:46 remaining in the game, a Timeout was called. Salem trails Cedarville 71-52. When the latest Timeout concluded, each team turned the ball over once. Then, each team nailed a 3-Point Basket. At 1:04, Cedarville’s Abby Freeman put a final capitalization on the game. She nailed a 3-Point Basket. By the Final Score of 81-59, the game would go on to end.

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