Women’s Basketball downed in opening round of USCAA DI Small College National Championship

PETERSBURG, Va. --- Bluefield State University women's basketball broke several school and tournament records in a 113-62 rout of Carlow University in an opening round game of the USCAA DI Small College National Championship Monday.

The Celtics (5-22) originally began the tournament as the No. 8 seed set to face No. 1 Bryant & Stratton Buffalo; however, due to several changes Buffalo earned a bye and the Celtics ended up as the No. 7 seed paired with No. 2 Bluefield State University (12-13).

Carlow was notably without senior center Megan Ost, who could not make the trip.

Sydney Carr led the Celtics with a double-double 22 points and 10 rebounds on the night.

Emiley Hillgartner added 15 points, and Elena Butler dished out five assists in the effort.

The Big Blue jumped out to a 15-0 lead before Carlow sank its first bucket of the game.

Carlow cut Bluefield State's lead to seven early in the second quarter, but the Big Blue went on a 12-0 run over the course of two minutes to extend their advantage to 19.

Bluefield State led, 42-25, at the half.

The Big Blue went on another 12-0 run to start the third quarter, and out-scored the Celtics, 45-25, in the final quarter to run away with the win.

Bluefield's efforts broke several school and tournament records.

The Big Blue's 18 treys broke the school record by two and tied the USCAA tournament record from 2011.

They tied the school record for most points in a game and broke the tournament record of 99 points, also set in 2011.

The Big Blue broke the tournament record 27 assists from 2013 with 30 on the night and tied the tournament record from 2013 with 42 field goals made in the game.

Bluefield State scored 53 points off 37 Carlow turnovers and dropped 62 points off the bench to Carlow's 17.

Essence Cowan sank six treys to lead the Big Blue with 22 points, and Aerihna Afoa also hit six treys, adding 21 points off the bench. Two other players contributed double figures in the win.

The Celtics wait to see if there is an opportunity for a consolation game due to the fact that the number of teams in the bracket is uneven.