Box Score Shannon O'Brien's three-point play put High Point in front for good and Misty Brockman hit five free throws in the final 30 seconds as the Panthers rallied to win their Big South Conference opener, 74-71, over UNC Asheville Saturday night.

High Point (5-7, 1-0 Big South) trailed by 19 points early in the second half but used a 20-0 run to get back in it. The Panthers trailed 49-30 with 16:41 left but scored 20 consecutive points to lead 50-49 on a three-pointer from Brockman with 10:47 left.

The bitter loss kept the Bulldogs (0-12, 0-2) winless on the season. UNCA was hurt in the final minute when two technical fouls were whistled on the Bulldogs.

Asheville was led by junior center Jessica Guarneri with a game-high 19 points and 12 rebounds. The Panthers were led by Narelle Henry's 15 points, while Brockman added 14 points. O'Brien came off the bench to chip in 13 points. Center Mary Brewer contributed 11 points.

UNCA led 66-64 when O'Brien hit a layup and was fouled at the 1:46 mark. Her free throw gave the Panthers a 67-66 lead. After a Bulldog miss, Brockman hit a free throw at the 1:19 mark, giving High Point a 68-66 lead.

Asheville appeared to tie the game when Daniels scored on a drive with 26 seconds remaining. However, the basket was wiped out as the junior guard was called for an offensive foul. Bulldog coach Kathleen Weber was then given a technical foul. Henry made 1-of-2 free throws giving the Panthers a 69-66 lead.

The Bulldogs fouled Brockman one second later and this time Guarneri was hit with a technical foul. Brockman made 3-of-4 free throws to give High Point a 72-66 lead.

Daniels scored at the 17-second mark to cut the lead to 72-68. Brockman was fouled again at the 16-second mark and made both to pad the lead to 74-68.

UNC Asheville cut the lead to 74-70 with five seconds left when Daniels scored and was fouled. She missed the free throw but got the rebound and was fouled again at the 3-second mark. Daniels made 1-of-2 free throws to make the score, 74-71. UNCA tried to get a steal and almost forced a jump ball which would have given the Bulldogs' possession but time ran out.

High Point (74) - Brockman 2-16 8-10 14, Brewer 5-9 1-3 11, S. Scott 4-8 0-0 8, Henry 5-12 4-6 15, C. Scott 2-2 0-0 4, Delcoure 0-1 0-0 0, O'Brien 5-13 3-3 13, Vick 1-8 1-2 3, Mills 0-2 0-0 0, Rosser 3-4 0-0 6.

UNC Asheville (71) - Murray 2-6 0-0 5, Daniels 5-13 2-6 12, Guarneri 8-12 3-4 19, Je. Stephenson 1-3 0-2 3, Roche 1-2 0-0 2, Jo. Stephenson 4-8 0-0 11, Sharpton 3-6 0-0 9, Beinvenu 3-9 4-4 10, Neal 0-0 0-0 0.

High Point                                 28  46  74 UNC Asheville                          43  28  71

3-Point Goals- High Point 3-17 (Brockman 2-6, Henry 1-6, Vick 0-1, Brewer 0-1, O'Brien 0-3), UNC Asheville 8-17 (Sharpton 3-3, Jo. Stephenson 3-5, Murray 1-2, Ju. Stephenson 1-3, Bienvenu 0-4). Fouled out- None. Rebounds- High Point 47 (Vick 9), UNC Asheville 39 (Guarneri 12). Assists- High Point 14 (Henry 6), UNC Asheville 16 (Ju. Stephenson 4).