Women's Basketball overwhelms SUNO in second half

NEW ORLEANS – Jessica Nerestant and Keimora Banks each scored 13 points as Wiley University utilized a dominant second half to secure a 65-49 victory over Southern University at New Orleans on Thursday night in a Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) matchup at The Castle.

The Wildcats (11-4, 6-2 HBCUAC) overcame a slow start to outscore the Lady Knights 33-18 over the final two quarters, fueled by career performances and a stifling defensive presence.

Wildcats Rally Late

SUNO (6-11, 1-9 HBCUAC) jumped out to an 18-13 lead after the first quarter, but Wiley began chipping away in the second. Kelechi Dike sparked the comeback with a layup midway through the second period, followed by a three-pointer from Moriah Burley that helped the Wildcats claw back to a 32-31 halftime lead.

Wiley took control for good in the third quarter. Alexis Foster found her rhythm, scoring six points in the frame, while Nerestant ignited the defense with two steals that led to transition opportunities. A layup by Mijanae Berry late in the third extended the Wiley lead as the Wildcats held SUNO to just nine points in the period.

The Wildcats punctuated the win in the fourth quarter. Banks took over the closing minutes, scoring seven points in the final frame, including a clutch three-pointer that pushed the lead to double digits. Kendall Campbell and Cailan Hale added late baskets to put the game out of reach.

Top Performers

• Jessica Nerestant: Led the way with 13 points and nine rebounds while shooting 6-of-9 from the floor.

• Keimora Banks: Finished with 13 points, five rebounds, and a steal.

• Kelechi Dike: Recorded eight points and nine rebounds, including a strong presence on the offensive glass.

• Alexis Foster (Wiley): Added six points and a team-high five assists.

Key Team Stats

Wiley's defense was the story of the night, forcing 24 turnovers and recording 11 steals. The Wildcats also dominated the boards, outrebounding SUNO 52-41. While Wiley struggled from the perimeter (2-of-24), they made up for it by shooting 54% on two-point field goal attempts and capitalizing on 15 offensive rebounds.

The Lady Wildcats will visit Dillard University at 1 p.m. Saturday. The Lady Bleu Devils extended their winning streak to five games with a 69-66 victory over Philander Smith University.