Mike Gallagher

Box Score

Michelle Jahn battles vs. Virginia Union

Edinboro EDIN-W 20-9

Virginia Union VUU-W 28-2

Edinboro EDIN-W

20-9

Final

Mar. 15, 2019

Virginia Union VUU-W

28-2

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	3	4	F
Edinboro EDIN-W	17	12	23	19	71
Virginia Union VUU-W	15	24	24	20	83

Game Recap: Women's Basketball | 3/15/2019 7:01:00 PM | Bob Shreve, Sports Information Director

Fighting Scots Fall to No. 9 Virginia Union in Atlantic Regional, 83-71

THE GAME FACTS – NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional First Round
Score: No. 2 Virginia Union 71, No. 7 Edinboro 71
Records: Edinboro (20-9), Virginia Union (28-2)
Location: Glenville, WV. – Waco Center
The Short Story: After losing to Virginia Union by 21 points in the second game of the season, Edinboro put up a stern challenge against the Panthers in the opening round of the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional before finally succumbing, 83-71. Edinboro came in as the number seven seed, while VUU was seeded second and ranked ninth in the latest WBCA Division II Top 25. The Panthers looked ready to run away early, scoring the first nine points of the game, but Edinboro would rebound to grab a 17-15 lead after one quarter. The second period ultimately did in the Fighting Scots, as VUU held a 24-12 advantage to lead 39-29 at the half. The Panthers made 5-of-6 3-pointers in the quarter. Edinboro would pull to within five points midway through the third period, and still trailed by just seven points with just under four minutes to play before Virginia Union pulled away. The contest marked the end of a highly-successful first season for head coach Callie Wheeler, who guided the Fighting Scots to their ninth straight 20-win season and tenth consecutive PSAC Tournament berth. It also was the final game for four players who contributed greatly to that success – Michelle Jahn, Ciara Rosten, Allison Thompson, and Jontay Walton.

Box Score: Click Here

HOW IT HAPPENED

Virginia Union jumped out to a 9-0 lead after four minutes as the Panthers held Edinboro without a point until the 5:58 mark when Michelle Jahn drained a 3-pointer.
The Fighting Scots would use the 3-point shot to climb back into the game. In addition to Jahn's three, Bridgette Shaffer made three 3-pointers over the last three-and-a-half minutes as Edinboro would grab a 17-15 lead after one quarter. Trailing 15-9, the Fighting Scots scored the final eight points of the first quarter on a pair of Shaffer three's, sandwiching a jumper in the lane by Allison Thompson.
Edinboro made it a 10-0 run when Michaela Barnes opened the second quarter with a layup. Virginia Union would retake the lead at 21-19 thanks to 3-pointers by Rejoice Spivey and Bianca Lockamy. Jahn's second three pulled the Scots ahead at 23-21, but the Panthers grabbed the lead again on another Spivey trifecta, but the Fighting Scots answered with Jontay Walton hitting from beyond the arc for a 26-25 advantage with 6:07 left.
Shareka McNeill's 3-pointer gave Virginia Union the lead for good at 5:46. The Panthers were 5-for-6 on 3-pointers in the second quarter. McNeill's three started a 10-0 run for VUU, resulting in a 35-26 deficit for the Scots. Yet another three, this one by Shaffer, halted the run and pulled the Scots to within 35-29 with 3:20 remaining. VUU would score the final four points of the half to take a 39-29 advantage as Edinboro went scoreless the final 3 minutes, 20 seconds.
Edinboro suffered through a cold second quarter to end the half at 37.0 percent from the floor (10-of-27). However, thanks to Shaffer and Jahn, the Fighting Scots were 7-of-14 from beyond the arc in the first half. Virginia Union went 12-of-24 from the floor in the first half, including 7-of-11 in the second quarter. The Panthers made 6-of-9 3-pointers, and held an advantage at the charity stripe, making 9-of-13 free throws compared to 2-of-6 for the Scots.
Shaffer had 12 points in the first half and Jahn six as the pair combined for six 3-pointers, with Shaffer going 4-of-5. Spivey led VUU with 11, while McNeill added 9.
Virginia Union would expand the lead to as much as 11 points in the third quarter, but Edinboro would pull to within five points at 46-41 as Walton hit a foul line jumper, then followed up with a 3-pointer.
The Panthers still held just a five-point lead at 49-44 when they went on an 11-2 run to take their largest lead of the game at 14 points, 60-46, with just under a minute to play. Edinboro would trail 63-52 after three quarters, but remained in contact thanks for a 10-of-12 showing at the free throw line. Barnes came alive in the quarter with eight points.
Jahn's third three opened the fourth quarter and pulled the Fighting Scots to within eight points at 63-55. Another Jahn three kept the deficit at eight at 68-60 with 8:07 remaining, but Virginia Union answered with a five straight points to build the lead to 73-60.
Edinboro had one last run remaining, closing from 75-62 to 76-69 with 3:37 remaining on a Ciara Rosten basket, along with a Shaffer layup and a 3-pointer by Barnes.
The comeback hopes finally faded as Edinboro suffered turnovers on three of the next four possessions. VUU would make 7 of 8 free throws over the final 81 seconds to move on to face Indiana(Pa.) in the semifinals.

BY THE NUMBERS

Edinboro finished the game shooting 42.9 percent from the floor (24-of-56) against a Virginia Union team that came in ranked first in Division II in field goal percentage defense at 31.4 pct. The Panthers were also fifth in the country in scoring defense at 52.3 ppg. The Fighting Scots made 11-of-28 3-pointers and went 12-of-18 at the line. Virginia Union shot 40.0 percent from the floor (24-of-60), making 10-of-23 3-pointers, while going 25-of-33 at the line.
Virginia Union held a 38-34 advantage on the glass. Turnovers would prove a key in the contest, with Edinboro committing 17 and VUU 12. The Panthers would hold a 21-3 advantage in points off turnovers.
Bridgette Shaffer led Edinboro with 16 points, making 6-of-9 field goals overall, including 4-of-6 3-pointers. She added six rebounds.
Michelle Jahn wrapped up an outstanding career with 15 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and three steals. The senior guard made 4-of-12 3-pointers. She played in 119^th career game, one shy of the school record, and wraps up her career with 1,384 points, tied for tenth all-time. She is also second in career 3-pointers made (256) and attempted (730).
Michaela Barnes enjoyed one of the finest seasons ever by a Fighting Scot. The junior guard ended the afternoon with 14 points after being held to three at the half. She added six rebounds and six assists. Barnes ended the season with 609 points, the fourth-highest season total. She will enter her senior season with 1,282 points, ranking 17^th.
Ciara Rosten was a fourth Fighting Scot in double digits with 14 points in a reserve role. She also had just three at the half. Rosten added five rebounds. She concludes her three-year career as a Fighting Scot with 1,189 points (25^th) and 759 rebounds (8^th), along with 223 blocked shots (2^nd).
Like Jahn and Rosten, Jontay Walton played her final game as a Fighting Scot, finishing with eight points while battling foul trouble and eventually fouling out. Walton will depart ranked 16^th in career scoring with 1,307 points, along with 15^th in career assists (304) and 13^th in career steals (213).
Edinboro's fourth senior, Allison Thompson, started at forward and finished with four points, three rebounds, and two assists in 25 minutes.
Virginia Union came in showcasing the scoring of Shareka McNeill, the CIAA Player of the Year, who ranked fifth in Division II in scoring at 25.3 ppg. Edinboro would limit the sophomore guard to 17 points. However, Rejoice Spivey went off for 27 points, adding seven rebounds. Jasmine Carter led the Panthers with eight rebounds.