Macon, GA- The Wesleyan Wolves traveled up Lookout Mountain to take on the Covenant College Scots and came back down with a 62-55 victory. This victory marks the Wolves first win in CCS play, and the first victory over a conference opponent since February of 2017. Sophomore guard Mia Walker led the Wolves in scoring with a game high 20 points, while also securing 6 rebounds. Janiya Simmons, Otashae Burrage, and Destiny Grider all finished with 14 points apiece as the Wolves had a very balanced offensive showing in the victory. Grider and Simmons had 6 rebounds apiece while Burrage stuffed the stat sheet once again with 2 rebounds to go along with 6 assists and 5 steals. Briscia Tejada did her part on the defensive end pulling down a team high 8 rebounds.
The Wolves were in command from the opening tip as they ended the first 10 minutes of play with a 13-11 lead led by Tae Burrage who finished with 5 points, an assist, and a steal to open the game. The Wolves played clean basketball only turning the ball over twice in the first 10 minutes while converting 6 Scot turnovers into 6 points on their end of the floor. The Wolves kept their 2 point lead through the beginning of the 2nd quarter before going on a 10 point run led by Simmons who scored the first 5 points of the run and dished out an assist to Bam Grider for 2 more. The Scots managed to battle back and cut the Wolves lead to 5, but with time expiring Burrage was able to find Mia Walker for an open look from behind the arc, to put the Wolves back up 32-24 right at the buzzer.
The Scots managed to cut the lead to 4 halfway through the 3rd quarter, but some sharp shooting from the free throw line by Grider and Walker extended the lead back to 8 with 10 minutes left to play. Covenant came charging back in the 4th quarter, erasing the Wolves lead and tying the score at 51 a piece with 4 minutes left on the clock. The Wolves, playing short handed, were able to hit 9 of 12 free throws down the stretch to put the game out of reach and bring home the thrilling 62-55 victory.
This win marks the 2nd on the season for the Wolves. The first multi win season since their 5 win campaign in 2017/2018. New Wolves Head Coach Lauren "Coach Cocoa" Falohun on the Wolves victory;
"I'm extremely tough on my team and am so proud of their resilience through what's been a challenging season. With a small roster, they continue to rise to the occasion and play to the standards we are trying to set for ourselves. They deserve this win and I couldn't be more happy for them. They haven't made any excuses and keep fighting every day. I believe this is the first step to greater things with Wesleyan basketball."
The Wolves will be back in CCS action on Saturday 2/3 as they take on the Lions of Piedmont College in Demorest, GA with tipoff scheduled for 2PM.