CENTRAL, S.C. — The University of Mount Olive women’s basketball team delivered a strong all-around performance Friday afternoon, using a dominant second and third quarter to claim a 77–66 road victory over Southern Wesleyan at Tysinger Gymnasium.
Mount Olive shot an efficient 51.7 percent from the field and 40 percent from three-point range, building a lead that grew to as many as 24 points in the third quarter. The Trojans led nearly wire to wire, never surrendering the advantage after the opening moments.
Kayla Jackson led all scorers with 23 points, shooting an impressive 10-of-14 from the floor, including three three-pointers. Jerin Truesdale added 15 points, nine rebounds, and four assists, while Jada Priebe contributed 14 points, seven rebounds, and three steals. Jayla Hicks rounded out the balanced effort with 10 points, giving Mount Olive four players in double figures.
The Trojans set the tempo early, shooting 66.7 percent in the opening quarter to take a narrow 24–23 lead. Mount Olive then seized control in the second quarter, outscoring Southern Wesleyan 21–9 with strong defensive pressure and transition offense to carry a 45–32 lead into halftime.
Momentum continued in the third quarter as Mount Olive knocked down four three-pointers and forced turnovers to stretch the lead to 61–39 late in the period. The Trojans held Southern Wesleyan to just nine points in both the second and third quarters.
Southern Wesleyan made a late push in the fourth quarter, scoring 25 points, but Mount Olive stayed composed, sealing the win with steady defense and free-throw shooting down the stretch.
With the victory, Mount Olive improves to 6–11 overall and 3–8 in Conference Carolinas play. The Trojans return home to host Francis Marion on Wednesday at 5 p.m. inside Kornegay Arena.
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