CHARLOTTE, N.C. - East Tennessee State women's basketball (6-8, 0-0 SoCon) closed the 2025-26 non-conference road slate with a 51-50 victory over the Charlotte 49ers (6-7, 0-0 AAC) on Sunday afternoon.  

NOTABLES

• Daniela Lopez was the leading scorer for the Bucs with her 17 points, going 6-8 from the field with an impressive 4-4 in three-point shots in the first half.  Lopez, the junior guard, shot over 75% from the field and posted the best shooting percentage by a Buc so far this season with one steal, one assist and one rebound.
• Meghan Downing, the senior guard, led on defense with four blocks, reaching the mark for the fourth time this season, adding on the team-high of eight rebounds with four points and two steals.
• Sophomore guard Carmen Richardson powered through for the game-winning shot with 4.7 seconds left in the contest.  Richardson totaled 10 points and four rebounds with team-highs in assists (3) and steals (2).
• Lucy Hood, the sophomore guard, posted her first free throws of the season, going 3-3 from the line.
• Nine of 11 members of the squad to see action recorded a point.
• The team totaled 51 points, 28 rebounds, eight assists, six steals and four blocks.

GAME FLOW
Q1

• Nelson led scoring to open the contest with five points.  Downing tacked on three rebounds and Richardson secured two assists.
• The Bucs outpaced the 49ers in points from turnovers (8-4), second chance points (2-0), points from fast breaks (3-0) and bench points (6-2).

Q2

• Lopez boasted an impressive second quarter with her three made three-pointers, reaching a flawless scoring quarter with one assist, one steal and one rebound.  Downing led on defense with two blocks and four rebounds.
• The squad shot 80% from beyond the arc for the most successful quarter of the season in three-point efficiency.

Q3

• Richardson led the team through the third frame with three rebounds and six points while the team collected nine rebounds.
• The team saw a seven-point scoring run later in the third quarter for the longest run of the contest.

Q4

• Downing led a defensive masterclass in the fourth quarter with two rebounds, two blocks and four points to pace the Bucs to the win, posting back-to-back buckets late in the frame.
• Richardson secured the game-winning shot with 4.7 left on the clock.
• ETSU had four individuals score multiple points to reach double-digits in scoring through all four quarters in the contest.

UP NEXT
The Bucs return to action on Friday, January 2 at 7 p.m. as the squad plays host to King in Brooks Gym to close the 2025-26 non-conference finale.