CHARLOTTE, NC -  Warren Wilson women's basketball opened the 2025–26 season with a strong road performance on Saturday afternoon, battling through a tight matchup at Johnson & Wales – Charlotte before falling 69–61 in the closing minutes.

The Owls controlled long stretches of the game — winning three of the four quarters and building a seven-point lead midway through the third. But a late fourth-quarter surge from JWU proved to be the difference, as the Wildcats outscored Warren Wilson 22–12 in the final period.

Galloway Shines in Collegiate Debut

Freshman Ori Galloway made an immediate impact in her first collegiate game, leading all scorers with 22 points while adding 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals. She scored consistently in all four quarters and kept the Owls within striking distance down the stretch.

Owls See Balanced Early-Season Production

• Moosie Lewis added 10 points and 5 rebounds, sparking a run in the third quarter that gave WWC its largest lead of the afternoon.
• Twig Barnes went 3–4 from the field for 6 points and grabbed six rebounds.
• Off the bench, Briah Clarke and Jordan McGhee added valuable minutes, combining for 8 points, while Kiera Littlejohn pulled down 8 rebounds and anchored the defensive effort.

Warren Wilson controlled the rebounding battle early and limited the Wildcats' shooting efficiency through the first three quarters before JWU found late momentum behind timely scoring from Gabby Tapley and De'Ashaj Crawford.

Foundation Laid for the Season Ahead

Despite the result, the Owls showed encouraging cohesion and competitiveness for a season opener, controlling tempo and generating high-quality looks throughout the afternoon.

Warren Wilson continues its early-season non-conference slate later this week.