March 6, 2014. The long layoff for the Lady Flames made them a little rusty and it showed in the first half as they dropped a heart-breaker to Dallas Christian College in the first round of the ACCA National Tournament, 75-71.
Though they got behind in the first half, Welch College was able to narrow the gap, trailing by only six at the intermission. But, the Crusaders continued to pressure the Flames and were able to build a double-digit lead midway through the second stanza.
But, the determined Flames would not go away and were able to whittle the lead down to just three points with three minutes left in the game. Both teams traded baskets down the stretch and the Crusaders were able to capitalize on a couple of Flame mistakes to seal the win.
“This is probably our toughest loss this season,” said Flames’ coach Larry Bryan. “It is hard to swallow. Once again our girls did everything needed to come back and win, but fell short by one or two plays.”
Leading the way for the Flames was Aston Johnson with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Jessie Melvin added 17 points and Amy Pickett chipped in 11. Leslie Nichols pulled down 11 rebounds for the Flames.
Today, the Flames have a consolation round game at 2:15pm.
February 24, 2014. The Flames lost a pair of Mid-East Region games over the weekend to close out their regular season. Friday, they lost to Johnson University 82-57 and on Saturday, they lost to The Crown College, 74-53.
On Friday, rebounding was the problem for the Flames as the Royals out-rebounded the hosts, 41-21. Saturday, it was poor shooting that did Welch College in, shooting just 34% from the field.
But, the games were not without some Flame highlights. Friday night Carson Outlaw went on a scoring rampage, going six for nine from the floor in the second half to tally 31 points for the game. Lim Chol chipped in 17 points. It was also the season debut for senior Jake Manning who was just cleared to play earlier in the week.
Saturday’s game provided some additional incentive for the Flames, as all middle Tennessee alums were invited to come, watch WC’s final home game, and reminisce with fellow alums.
It was Chol’s day to shine as the 6’5” center shot 65% from the floor and 75% from the line to score a career-high 32 points. He also grabbed 10 rebounds. Tim Hutchinson pulled down 12 rebounds for the Flames to go along with his nine points.
“This has been a tough season with injuries and academic issues,” said Coach Nathan Willhite. “But, I am really proud of the way these guys continued to fight. They never gave up.”
Welch travels to Kentucky Christian University for the Mid-East Region tournament this Thursday through Saturday, February 27-March 1.
February 15, 2014. If only Welch College could put together two complete halves. Once again the Flames were able to play an excellent second half, but fell to visiting Kentucky Christian University, 88-74.
In the first half, KCU went on the offensive and attacked the Flames’ defense every trip down the floor with their fast breaks. The fast pace allowed the Knights to take a 48-34 lead into the locker room.
Coming out after half-time, the Flames were able to neutralize the KCU fast break enough to play even the entire rest of the game.
“We played much better in the second half,” said Flames’ coach Nathan Willhite. “We need to be more consistent for forty minutes.”
Freshman standout, Carson Outlaw led the Flames in scoring with 27 points and five assists. David Reeves had a good game off the bench, scoring 18 points. Tim Hutchinson added 16 points and nine rebounds. Lim Chol was the fourth Flame in double-digits with 11 points.
February 7, 2014. Trailing 8-0 is no way to start a game, but that is exactly where the Lady Flames found themselves tonight en route to a 70-58 loss to Johnson University.
Execution and poor shooting by the Flames allowed the Royals to take a commanding fourteen point half-time lead.
But, Welch was determined to make a game of it in the second half. They began chipping away at the Johnson lead, and actually outscored them in the half, but could only get to within seven points, 63-56, with just over a minute left in the game. From there, the Royals were able to make their free throws to secure the win.
“We didn’t execute well in the first half,” said Flames’ coach Larry Bryan. “But we kept competing the entire game. I was extremely proud of our effort as a team and Rachel (Burns) had an outstanding game off the bench.”
Ashton Johnson scored 19 points to lead four Flames in double figures. Amy Pickett added 12 points while Leslie Nichols and Burns chipped in 10 each. Nichols completed a double-double with 10 rebounds and Burns grabbed 7 rebounds. Jessie Melvin dished out a team high six assists.
Emily Whitworth and Elizabeth Hill were recently named NCCAA Scholar-Athletes as members of the Lady Flames’ volleyball team by the National Christian College Athletic Association. They were presented certificates at half-time of the Welch College Men’s basketball game by Flames’ volleyball coach, Amy Walker.
The purpose of the award is to recognize outstanding scholar-athletes among the National Christian College Athletic Association’s member institutions.
Criteria for the award are:
– Must be a junior or a senior
– Be competing at the varsity level as a student-athlete
– Have maintained a minimum cumulative grade point average or 3.40 or above
Whitworth has completed all of her coursework, carrying a 3.53 GPA, majoring in Business Administration and will graduate in May. She is the daughter of Kim and Lori Whitworth.
Hill, a junior, majoring in Child Development, has a cumulative grade point average of 4.0. She is the daughter of Gary and Teresa Hill.
February 6, 2014. The long trip to West Virginia may have slowed the Flames down in the first half, but they found their shooting touch in the second half for a 66-61, come from behind, win over the host Warriors.
Trailing by 16 points at the half, it looked like Welch College was going to go down in defeat, but a harassing defense and a hot hand (49% from the field) offensively allowed the Flames pick up the win.
The first half was back and forth for the first seven minutes before the Flames fizzled out on the offensive end, being outscored 26-10 over the remaining 13 minutes of the half.
But, the Flames turned the tables in the second half, scorching the nets for 24 points in the first 10 minutes while holding the Warriors to just six during that stretch. It was Tim Hutchinson’s jumper with 10:18 remaining in the game that gave Welch the lead they would not relinquish.
“We came out a little lethargic,” said Flames’ coach Nathan Willhite. “But, we were really able to put it together in the second half.”
Carson Outlaw and Tim Hutchinson led the Flames in scoring with 29 and 25 points, respectively.
