UMO women fall to No. 10-ranked Limestone

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Published in Sports on November 27, 2014 1:33 AM

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MOUNT OLIVE -- Wendy Lee can use this one as a measuring stick.

Her Trojans couldn't quite pull it out, but they battled No. 10-ranked Limestone all the way to the end in a 68-54 loss Tuesday evening in Conference Carolinas play.

The Trojans aren't where they need to be yet, but Lee was encouraged by what she saw, and expects the next time the teams play to be even more of a battle.

"This is the youngest team I think I've had since I've been here, so they all have to come together and figure it out," Lee said. "I think they did a good job of that tonight. I think it's good that we played such a good team so early so the girls could see they could play with them."

The Trojans were in a virtual tie with the Saints in just about every statistical category in the box score except two: turnovers and free throws.

UMO committed 20 turnovers that Limestone turned into 14 points. Lee admitted if the Trojans take better care of the ball they have a shot to win the game late.

From the line, the Trojans shot just 45 percent. But the real issue was they only attempted 11 free throws compared to Limestone's 29. Lee says that's a sign of a young team that doesn't yet have the confidence to attack the game and take control.

She's hoping the rest of the team follows freshman Ni'ya Styles' lead. Styles led the Trojans with 18 points after knocking down six of 13 attempts from three-point territory. As a point guard, Styles is used to handling the ball and setting up her teams, but after halftime, she came out firing.

"Anytime shots aren't falling or my teammates aren't getting shots up, I got to start shooting," said Styles, who committed just two turnovers.

Limestone's Alicia Brookins had a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds and Conference Carolinas reigning player-of-the-week Jasmine Kearse led the team with 14 points after being held scoreless at halftime.

Arieal Johnson finished with 13 points and eight rebounds off the bench for the Trojans. Ty Wallace grabbed 10 rebounds.