SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Wofford women's basketball team opened the 2021-22 season at Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium against the College of Charleston, but the Terriers could not keep pace with the Cougars, falling 80-48. A rough second half did the Terriers in as they could only post 18 points over the final two quarters.
 
Though only down 10 points at halftime, a rough second half did the Terriers in as they could only post 18 points over the final two quarters while the Cougars scored 40. College of Charleston wreaked havoc in transition, not only swiping 11 steals but also capitalizing with 19 points from turnovers.
 
Alexis Tomlin led the way for the Terriers, posting her third career double-double with 10 points and rebounds. Lilly Hatton was the top scorer with 12 total points. Niyah Lutz picked up four points and six boards. Helen Matthews added seven points and a block off the bench. Annabelle Schultz contributed five points and also snagged two steals.
 
Three Terriers saw their first collegiate action; Reagan Rapert, Sydnee Richetto and Ja'Rae Smith. Rapert made her first career start, picking up two points, three assists and five rebounds. Richetto and Smith both saw limited action, playing only six and two minutes, respectively. Smith swiped her first career steal.
 
The Terriers hung around with the Cougars in a tight first quarter. College of Charleston opened the scoring with a three only 22 seconds into the game, but Lilly Hatton responded 23 seconds later with a triple of her own for Wofford's first points of the season. Hatton would then give the Terriers a lead when she made a layup off a dish from Jackie Carman. However, the Cougars buried another three to reclaim the lead, and they would not look back. They scored seven unanswered points before Carman knocked down a three to bring Wofford within two. But another triple extended the Cougar lead, and though the Terriers added layups themselves, they were being outpaced by Charleston's three-pointers. Helen Matthews knocked down a free throw with just under a minute left in the quarter, but Charleston responded with bucket to enter the break up 20-13.
 
Charleston opened the second quarter with five points, but Annabelle Schultz knocked down a triple to help the Terriers keep pace. Lilly Hatton put in her second three of the night to bring the Terriers within six, but the Cougars kept scoring. Abbey Crawford put home a couple of layups with four and three minutes remaining, respectively, but each one was followed by yet another Cougar three-pointer. Charleston reached 40 points with another three, but Reagan Rapert converted two free throws with 43 seconds left to secure her first career points and bring the Terriers within 10 points at the half.
 
Charleston continued to pull away in the third quarter, but Wofford continued to nip at their heels. The squads traded jumpers in the paint to open the frame, but back-to-back scores extended the Cougar lead to 14. Charleston would reach a 20-point lead with four minutes remaining, but Alexis Tomlin put home a layup followed by a Helen Matthews paint jumper. However, another three from Charleston kept them securely out in front. Tomlin and Matthews again scored back-to-back buckets at the end of the quarter to keep Wofford within 15 points.
 
The fourth quarter was all Charleston, as Wofford only mustered four points in the final frame. The Cougars opened with four points before Niyah Lutz swished a jumper. The Cougars downed a free throw, and then Lilly Hatton put in a layup for the final Terrier points of the night with just over five minutes left. The Cougars put up the next 14 points to secure the 80-48 win.
 
"I give College of Charleston a lot of credit for coming in and playing a great game," said head coach Jimmy Garrity. "They are a very talented team that can really shoot the ball. Unfortunately, we didn't play our best and didn't shoot the ball well. We are not going to hang our heads. We have a big weekend of basketball in the Preseason WNIT Tournament where we will face three really good teams."
 
The Terriers will look to bounce back in the Preseason WNIT in Raleigh, N.C. The first of Wofford's three games is on Friday against No. 5 NC State. Tipoff against the Wolfpack is set for 7:00 pm.