ETSU to face New Mexico State tomorrow at 2:30 p.m.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 17, 2023) – Another thrilling chapter was added to a storybook season for ETSU women’s basketball on Friday, as the Bucs set a new program record for single season wins and advance to the next round of the Women’s Basketball Invitational (WBI) with an 81-56 victory over FIU in Lexington, Ky.

The win improves ETSU to a 24-9 record, passing the historic 2009-10 team for the most single season wins in team history. Today also marks ETSU first postseason win since 1995 — where another historic Bucs team defeated VCU in the WNIT.

With the win, ETSU advances to the semifinals set for tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. against New Mexico State. The winner of that game will advance to Sunday’s championship game at 7:30 p.m., while the loser will play in the third-place game on Sunday at 5 p.m.

The Bucs shot lights out on Friday inside the Clive M. Beck Center, setting new season-highs in both field goal percentage and three-point percentage. ETSU shot 30-46 from the floor for a jaw-dropping 65.2 percent, while going 15-27 behind the arc for a season-high 55.6 percent.

A number of players contributed to this on both sides of the ball, but Kendall Folley (Lebanon, Ohio) stood out on the stat sheet with 24 points in 24 minutes of action. Folley went 6-6 from the field and 3-3 behind the arc in the first half, while finishing 8-12 and 5-8, respectively. Folley also had six rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Three other players had double figure scoring days, including Courtney Moore (Gainesville, Fla.) and Journee McDaniel (New Bern, N.C.) with four triples apiece. Nevaeh Brown (Charlotte, N.C.) also had a three-point basket in a 12 point effort, while joining Folley and Moore with two steals each. Jiselle Thomas (Norwalk, Ohio) chipped in eight points and a game-high five assists.

On the boards, Jakhyia Davis (Knoxville, Tenn.) led the Bucs with seven rebounds. Though she only attempted one shot on the day — a made turnaround lay-up — Davis made her presence felt and led the team with a plus-minus rating of +32 to lead all players.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Quarter: ETSU jumped ahead quickly on an 11-0 run sparked by two three-pointers from Moore in the first 58 seconds of play. Thomas and Folley each added baskets in the run before FIU snapped a near six-minute scoring drought.

Second Quarter: With the lead in hand, ETSU had perhaps its best quarter of the season, outscoring FIU 32-16 for a new season-high in single quarter scoring. The Bucs went 13-16 from the field — more than 80 percent — to finish 18-24 for the half. Seven Bucs scored in the second quarter, including Brown, Moore, Folley, Thomas, McDaniel, Meghan Downing (New Madison, Ohio) and Bluegrass State native Jaileyah Cotton (Bardstown, Ky.).

Third Quarter: The Bucs never took their foot off the gas — despite a lead of 23 points at the break — adding 22 more points in the third quarter. Much like the first quarter, ETSU started the second half with an immediate three-pointer from Moore. Brown had a big impact in this frame with eight points and two steals. The Bucs were an even 50 percent in this quarter, going 7-14 from the floor and 4-9 from downtown.

Fourth Quarter: With a comfortable lead, ETSU cruised in the fourth quarter with single baskets from Folley, Thomas, Moore, McDaniel and Sarah Thompson (Gate City, Va.). ETSU took its largest lead of the game in the final frame, going up 74-39 with a triple from McDaniel to extend the lead to 35 points.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• ETSU shot north of 60 percent from the field and north of 50 percent behind the arc for the first time this season. FIU shot 19-61 for 31 percent.

• Despite the loss, FIU had a 31-30 advantage in rebounds and attempted 15 more shots.

• ETSU forced 14 turnovers and turned those into an impressive 27 points. Meanwhile, FIU produced 22 takeaways for 20 points off turnovers.

• The 15 three-pointers fell one short of matching this year’s season-high — a school record 16 set at home against Wofford back in Feburary.

• The 23-point halftime lead is the largest against an NCAA Division I opponent for ETSU this season.

• ETSU is now 20-2 when holding opponents to under 60 points.

• The Bucs are 20-0 when outshooting opponents this season.

• ETSU has led at halftime in 23 of its 24 wins.

• ETSU improves to a 14-4 record when playing outside of Johnson City, including a 5-2 neutral site record.

BRACKET UPDATE 

Round 1 – Friday, March 17

ETSU 81, FIU 56

New Mexico State 51, UIC 41

Cal Baptist vs. North Dakota — 5:00 p.m.

Georgia Southern vs. NIU — 7:30 p.m.

Round 2 – Saturday, March 18

FIU vs. UIC — 12:00 p.m. (Consolation)

ETSU vs. New Mexico State — 2:30 p.m. (Winner’s Bracket)

Consolation Bracket Game 2 — 5:00 p.m.

Winner’s Bracket Game 2 — 7:30 p.m.

Round 3 — Sunday, March 19

7th place game — 12:00 p.m.

Consolation Final — 2:30 p.m.

3rd place game — 5:00 p.m.

Championship Final — 7:30 p.m.

For more information on Buccaneer women’s hoops, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the women’s basketball page.