The West Rowan Falcons secured a decisive victory over the East Rowan Mustangs, winning 65-31 in the first round of the South Piedmont Conference Tournament on March 4, 2024. This match took place at East Rowan’s home court in Mount Ulla, where the Falcons showcased their dominance for the third time this season against the Mustangs.
East Rowan has struggled recently, losing their last eight games and posting low scores of 37, 24, 31, 22, and 31 points in previous outings. The absence of freshman standout Bristol Smith, who is recovering from a foot injury, has significantly affected the team’s performance. Head coach Bri Evans expressed her frustration, stating, “We didn’t play bad at all against West, but we’re struggling to score the ball, especially without Bristol. We were getting better at getting the ball to her, but then she got hurt.”
West Rowan, the second seed in the tournament, capitalized on East’s scoring difficulties. The Falcons, now boasting an impressive record of 23-1, have defeated East in all three encounters this season, with previous scores of 65-32 and 73-39. Tiara Thompson, typically the team’s leading scorer, contributed 13 points but did not need to carry the full scoring load this game. Instead, Aubrey Martin stepped up, netting 21 points, including three three-pointers, to help secure the win.
In contrast, Lily Kluttz led East Rowan with 10 points, but the team’s offensive struggles were evident throughout the game. The Mustangs’ performance was characterized by their inability to maintain a consistent scoring rhythm, further exacerbated by Smith’s injury.
With their loss, East Rowan’s record fell to 5-20. Despite their current challenges, the Mustangs remain in contention for the expanded playoffs, currently sitting at No. 48 in the 5A rankings, which could potentially secure them a playoff spot. Evans mentioned that Smith was scheduled for an MRI to determine if she has a stress fracture, a development that could significantly impact the team’s future.
Looking ahead, West Rowan will advance to the semifinals, where they will face third-seeded Salisbury. With their robust lineup and strong season performance, the Falcons will aim for further success in the tournament.
