Laura Herman tied her career-high of 18 points and also snagged nine rebounds  to help lead the Winthrop women's basketball team to an 81-75 victory over High Point in Big South Conference action Wednesday night.

Winthrop (7-17, 3-8) grabbed the lead with 9:57 to go in the first half and never looked back. High Point came on strong late in the game, getting as close as 77-73 with 33 seconds left. But Winthrop, who has seen leads dwindle with under six minutes to go in seven of its eight conference losses, maintained its composure and pulled out the win.

Herman got off to a hot start by hitting all six of her shots in the first half (6-for-6) for 14 points. Winthrop shot 50 percent from the floor in the first half and held a 13-point advantage at the break.

Misty Brockman led all scorers with 22 points and three steals. Stephanie Scott poured in a career-best 18 points and Brewer added 16 points and seven boards.

Things started well for the Lady Eagles in the second half as they built a lead as big as 18 points. But for about a six minute stretch, High Point (12-13, 6-6) controlled the momentum and went on a 17-4 run to pull within in nine points. But Winthrop held a double-digit lead consistently until 1:13 left on the clock after a three-pointer and a jumper by Mary Brewer got the deficit down to eight points.

The Panthers shot 48 percent from the field and were outrebounded 40-34.

High Point hosts Liberty Saturday afternoon (4:30 pm) in a double-header with the Panther men. It's Senior Day at the Millis Center.

High Point (75) - Brewer 6-11 2-4 16, S. Scott 7-10 4-5 18, Henry 0-2 0-0 0, Brockman 8-19 4-6 22, O'Brien 1-4 2-3 4, C.Scott 1-1 0-1 2, Decloure 1-1 0-0 2, Vick 1-4 0-0 3, Mills 0-1 0-0 0, Rosser 3-5 2-3 8.

Winthrop (81) - Herman 8-10 2-2 18, Pannell 4-10 4-4 12, Kovacs 2-4 4-4 8, Bell 1-6 0-0 3, Arrington 2-9 2-5 6, Kilcollin 0-0 0-0 0, Whittington 2-6 6-8 10, Wennefors 5-12 2-2 12, Hollensen 5-8 1-1 12.

High Point                                 31  44  75 Winthrop                                   44  37  81

3-Point Goals- High Point 5-13 (Brewer 2-4, Brockman 2-5, Vick 1-3, Henry 0-1), Winthrop 2-10 (Bell 1-2, Hollensen 1-2, Arrington 0-1, Wennefors 0-2, Whittington 0-3). Fouled out- High Point (Henry), Winthrop (Herman). Rebounds- High Point 34 (Brewer 7), Winthrop 40 (Herman, Pannell 9). Assists- High Point 18 (C. Scott, Henry 4), Winthrop 16 (Arrington 7).