Freeport, Ill. – Wabash Valley survived a fourth-quarter scare before surging at the close to post a 90-75 non-conference win over Highland in the season-opener for both teams.
The Warriors held a 69-53 lead early in the fourth quarter before Highland went on a 20-6 tear to pull to within 75-73 with three minutes remaining.
That is when Cierra Christian scooped up a ball in the lane and scored, followed by a 3-point field goal by Je'Naiya Davis. Seconds later, a steal and layup by Kiarah Carney made it 82-73 with 1:45 left. Then, a rebound basket by Jazmyn Turner completed a sudden nine-point run that ruined the debut of the Cougars in their newly renovated facility.
WVC (1-0) had not played a single pre-season scrimmage before the opener, and it showed. The high-flying Warriors were effectively grounded in the first half, at one point falling behind by as many as eight points, 31-23.
In fact, the Warriors did not take their first lead in the game until Ashley Davis hit a layup early in the third quarter to put the visitors ahead, 43-42.
Unofficial scoring totals showed Turner leading the Warriors with 27 points. Je'Naiya Davis added 26 for the winners.
The game marked the return to the bench for Warrior coach Luke Scheidecker, who left in 2018 to become an assistant at Indiana State. He is now 62-5 at Wabash, and 92-6 overall.
WVC next plays at Parkland on Saturday at 1 p.m.