Trojan women can't close the door on Belmont Abbey

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on January 18, 2014 11:08 PM

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astevens@newsargus.com

MOUNT OLIVE -- Opportunity knocked for the University of Mount Olive women's basketball team Saturday afternoon.

The Trojans couldn't close the door with the game on the line.

UMO failed to convert on key possessions in the final 31/2 minutes of 59-54 loss to in-state Conference Carolinas foe Belmont Abbey at Kornegay Arena. Jasmine McDonald scored 18 points for the Trojans, who fell to 3-3 in games decided by fewer than 10 points this season.

Joneiqua Gary supplied 12 points, while Kirksten Mitchell had 11 points.

Belmont's McKenzie Owen led all scorers with 25 points.

Down 54-52 with less than a minute to go, Katie Paschal missed a 3-pointer that would have pushed the Trojans back in front. The Crusaders' Kelsey Long hit one of two free throws, and Paschal missed from long range again.

"I probably didn't put us in the right spots to attack the rim," University of Mount Olive head coach Wendy Lee said. "We might should have attacked the rim better because we might could have gotten to the free throw line. Katie got some good looks, they just didn't fall for us.

"I don't think we attacked their zone as well as we should have and we got a little passive."

UMO led 23-22 at halftime.

Paschal, a senior transfer from East Carolina, provided the Trojans with a spark in the second half. She delivered a pair of assists on layups to McDonald, and her jump shot gave UMO a 41-34 advantage.

A native of Williamston, Paschal tallied six points and four assists.

"(Paschal) was able to connect with Jasmine and the two of them are playing well off of each other," Lee said. "Hopefully that can continue and they can get some chemistry going."

Belmont Abbey (12-5 overall, 6-1 CC) patiently moved the ball in their methodical offense. Dribble penetration and timely passes created gaps in the UMO defense, which helped spark a 10-0 run.

Tajanna Brown's layup with fewer than six minutes to play gave the Crusaders a 49-46 lead.

"We knew they would be a rhythmic team and we needed to try to disrupt their flow," Lee said. "I thought we did a good job of that early. They got more accustomed to our defensive approach and were able to find their players in the post in the second half."

Mount Olive (8-7, 3-4) committed 17 turnovers and shot 5 of 21 beyond the 3-point arc. The Trojans entertain Lees-McRae on Wednesday.