NEW ORLEANS, La. – William Carey showed no signs of rust with a convincing 72-56 victory over Dillard University Monday Night.
 
The game began with both teams exchanging baskets, but three consecutive scores from Shaneal Corpuz, Addyson Sherer, and Brooklyn Cuevas propelled Carey to a 14-6 lead with four minutes remaining in the first quarter. The Lady Crusaders continued to build their advantage, extending it to ten points with an Anna Rose Engle jumper, before finishing the quarter with an 18-10 lead.
 
As the second quarter opened, the Bleu Devils responded by cutting the deficit to five points. However, Carey quickly regained an eight-point lead at 23-15 three minutes into the quarter. Dillard continued to battle, narrowing the margin to just two points at 29-27 by halftime after a late surge.
 
Dillard's opening layup in the second half briefly tied the game, but Madelyn Ladner quickly answered, restoring the Crusaders' lead, which Corpuz then extended to four points with a jumper. The game remained competitive until an 8-0 run by Carey widened the gap to 41-31 with three minutes left in the quarter. Dillard managed to trim the lead to five points a minute later, but Carey concluded the quarter strong, leading 47-38.
 
In the final quarter, Leah Sutton and Corpuz started with back-to-back baskets, pushing the Lady Crusaders' lead to 11 points. Over the next three minutes, they extended their lead even further, with Alyssa Hillard putting Carey ahead by 62-42 with six minutes left. From that point on, WCU controlled the game, keeping Dillard at bay and never allowing the deficit to shrink below 14 points as they cruised to victory.
 
Corpuz led William Carey with 16 points and 12 rebounds, while Brooklyn Cuevas contributed 14 points. Addyson Sherer added 13 points, with Madelyn Ladner rounding out the scoring with 10 points.
 
The Lady Crusaders are back in action on Thursday, January 8, as they return to conference play against Faulkner University. The tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 PM at Clinton Gym.