Petersburg, VA - The Johnson & Wales Charlotte women's basketball team was the last of the 36 participating teams to see action at the USCAA National Championships, and overcame a slow start to defeat #8 Penn State Beaver 59-49.

How It Happened:

• The Wildcats missed their first six shots from the field, but held Beaver to only one field goal during the game's opening four minutes.
• Back-to-back Jordan McDuffie layups, the second of which resulting in a three point play, gave JWU a 5-3 lead.
• Tanaeschia Dorsey hit a three just before the first quarter buzzer to extend the Wildcat lead to six at 13-7.
• Beaver tightened things in the second quarter, trailing just 20-19 with 3:26 left in the half.
• The Wildcats closed the half on a 9-0 run, with 7 of those points coming from Jordan Durant, to lead 29-19 at intermission.
• Jayla Lovett opened the second half just as Durant closed the first, scoring the first 8 points of the period. The JWU lead swelled to 37-19.
• The Wilcats maintained separation for the rest of the period, leading 48-29 as the Lions found the going tough inside. JWU recorded 15 blocks on the evening.
• Beaver played their best stretch of the game in the first five minutes of the fourth quarter, going on a 13-3 run to trim the deficit to nine.
• The Lions briefly got to within 8, but back-to-back layups from Leslie Hodges and Lovett restored a comfortable advantage for the Wildcats, who held on from there.

Key Stats:

• The Wildcats held Beaver to just 27.1% shooting, and outrebounded them 54-44.
• Joyiah White posted a 15 rebound, 11 block double-double. The 11 blocks are both a new school record and also a USCAA National Tournament record.
• Jordan McDuffie also posted a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. 
• Tanaeshia Dorsey had a great all-around game, scoring 11 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and dishing out 6 assists.
• Jayla Lovett and Jordan Durant each scored 12 points.
• JWU improves to 19-4 overall while Penn State Beaver drops to 20-8 overall.

Up Next:

The Wildcats advance to Wednesday evening's semifinal round where they will face #4 seed Penn State Schuylkill at 9pm.