Boxscore
PIKE CREEK, Del. - Redshirt-sophomore guard Jacinda Jones scored a career-high 30 points in just her second game since returning from a season-ending ACL injury last season, but the Lightning fell to Cheyney University, 66-60 in their home opener on Sat. afternoon in non-league play at the Jones Center.
Jones, who shot 9-for-16 from the field (3-for-5 from three-point range) and was 9-for-10 from the free-throw line, became the first Lightning player to score 30 points since sophomore guard Evebonee Acosta drained 31 on Dec. 1, 2008 in an 84-51 win against Columbia Union College. However, it was not enough to overcome 25 points allowed off of 26 Lightning turnovers and a lopsided (24-5) disadvantage in bench points, as GBC fell to 0-2 to start the season.
Led by its two freshmen forwards Akilah Sewell and Devonne Richardson with seven rebounds apiece, GBC dominated on the boards, 45-29; however, Cheyney still outscored the Lightning 36-22 in the paint and held an 18-15 advantage in second-chance points.
A trio of Lady Wolves tallied double figures. Angel Stephens led the way with 14 points and eight rebounds. Lutfiyya Muhammad added 10 points and Charnelle Taylor, coming off the bench, netted 12 points.
An Angel Henderson conventional three-point play two minutes into the game gave Cheyney a 3-0 lead that they would never surrender during the course of the contest. A three-pointer by Georgia Anderson right before the end of the first half gave the Lady Wolves their biggest lead, 12 points (38-26), of the opening 20 minutes.
A Muhammad layup to start the second half extended the lead to 14 points, but the Lightning refused to roll over in their home opener. They answered with an 11-0 run to cut the lead to three with 15:40 remaining.
Cheyney was able to get the lead back to 10 points before GBC went on a 7-0 run to cut the score to 60-57 with 3:40 left to play. But the Lady Wolves answered with back-to-back layups by Stephens and Taylor to secure the victory.
The Lightning are back in action on Tues., Nov. 24 as they host West Chester University at the Jones Center in the first game of a GBC women's and men's doubleheader at 6 p.m.
