MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The William Carey Women's Basketball Team dropped their first contest of the season, falling to Blue Mountain Christian 60-57 in the quarterfinals of the SSAC Tournament, snapping a program best 25 game win streak.
 
Carey took an early 6-2 lead on baskets by Shaneal Corpuz and Kolten Blakeney, but the Toppers quickly cut the lead to one on a three pointer by Crystin Guy. The Lady Crusaders responded with a layup by Blakeney with Addyson Sherer draining a three pointer. Rose Warren made it seven straight points with a jumper to push the WCU lead to eight before taking a 15-9 lead into the second quarter.
 
It was much the same in the second, as the Lady Crusaders maintained the lead for the entire quarter. BMCU stayed within striking distance though and with four minutes remaining cut the deficit to 23-21. However, Carey again had the answer, closing the quarter on an 11-6 run to take a seven-point lead into the break.
 
The Toppers picked up the defensive pressure in the third quarter, holding the Lady Crusaders to just five points over the first eight minutes, allowing them to battle their way back to take their first lead of the game at 40-39 with two minutes to play. The final minutes of the quarter saw both teams trade baskets with Blue Mountain taking a 45-43 lead into the fourth.
 
Carey struggled offensively to open the fourth with the Toppers going on to take a 53-46 lead with six minutes to play. However, back-to-back baskets by Madelyn Ladner followed by a pair of free throws from Corpuz put WCU with one point with three minutes remaining.
 
BMCU answered with a three pointer and from there Carey was fighting an uphill battle, managing to get within one on multiple occasions. After a pair of free throws put the Toppers back in front by three with four seconds remaining, Jenna Garriga let loose a potential game tying three-point attempt, but the shot bounced off the rim to end the game.
 
Shaneal Corpuz led the offense with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Kolten Blakeney finished with 15 points with Rose Warren adding ten points.
 
Despite the loss, the Lady Crusaders season continues, as they received an automatic bid with winning the regular season conference title to the NAIA Opening Round. They will now wait to see which opening round host they will be heading to.