704 Cup Champs! Women's Basketball Downs 49ers, 68-55
by Davidson SportsInformation | Dec 22, 2022
The victorious Wildcats with the inaugural 704 Cup win!
DAVIDSON, N.C. – After trailing by as many 12 points in the first half, the Davidson women's basketball team put together a 14-4 run to come from behind and defeat the Charlotte 49ers 68-55 in the inaugural 704 Cup game.
The Wednesday win marks the program's 499th victory and is the team's second straight win over its cross-county rival. The 'Cats are now 4-1 in the month of December en route to their 13th program victory over Charlotte.
Davidson relied on two-straight 20-point quarters to come from behind after trailing 15-7 in the first. Charlotte shot 53.8 percent from the floor in the first quarter to take its early lead, before the Wildcats' defense stifled the 49ers into just 29.7 percent shooting over the final three quarters of play.
Elle Sutphin led the 'Cats with the second double-double of her career, scoring 25 points, 14 alone in the second quarter, and grabbing 10 rebounds while three other Wildcats ended the day in double-figures. Suzi-Rose Deegan finished with 14 points and seven rebounds, while Chloe Welch and Maddie Plank closed out the day with 11 points apiece. Welch also grabbed five rebounds and dished four assists while Plank was a perfect 5-of-5 from the field.
Down 20-13 in the second, Welch hit a three that cut Davidson's deficit to four not long before Charlotte burst into an 8-0 run to take its largest lead of the day, 28-16. From there, Sutphin drained two treys and a layup, while Deegan and Welch both converted on and-one opportunities to put the Wildcats back within two, 32-30, at the end of the half.
Out of the break, Plank took control for the 'Cats and scored six straight points that put Davidson ahead for the first time all game, 36-34, before Sutphin's third three-pointer pushed the lead to five and forced the 49ers into a timeout.
Deegan converted another and-one opportunity with eight seconds left in the third, as the Wildcats shot a game-best 64.3 percent from the field, and pulled away to a 52-42 lead with 10 minutes to go.
In the final stretch, Sallie Schutz scored five points and the 'Cats drained four three's to secure the 13-point victory along with the inaugural 704 Cup trophy.