The High Point University women's basketball team held on to the lead tonight to defeat Mars Hill 57-49 in the Millis Athletic Center.

Leading scorer for High Point was senior Katie O'Dell who had 13 points and seven rebounds in the win. Katie Ralls and Candyce Sellars both chipped in eight each while Raven Truslow tossed up six. Sarah Haak pulled down nine rebounds to lead the Panthers.

The visiting Lions had three players in double figures with Abby DeBusk leading the way with a 15 point effort. Kristi Ferris added in 13 while Lindsey Jones had 12. DeBusk and Ferris also lead in rebounds with 11 and 12, respectively.

High Point started the game off on a 7-0 run before Ferris scored the Lions' first basket at the 15:20 mark. The Panthers were ahead by as many as 10 in the first half, but entered halftime into halftime with just a four point lead after MHC's Katie Davis made a lay-up with four seconds to go on the clock.

Coming out of the break High Point made its first four shots and increased the lead back to eight, but Mars Hill continued to fight its way back. The Lions' DeBusk hit a lay up and a free throw to tie the game at the 14:19 mark. The game continued to be a battle throughout the second half with eight lead changes and seven ties.

High Point finally pulled ahead for good with 2:45 remaining in the game when Tonya Tripp hit a lay-up. Ralls went 4-4 from the charity stripe in the final 30 seconds to seal the win for the Panthers.

"We struggled in the first half," said High Point University head coach Tooey Loy. "We settled for any shot we could get. In the second half we were able to pick our shots and played better."

The Panthers were strong on the defensive side of the ball forcing 24 turnovers, blocking six shots and stealing the ball 15 times. Mars Hill forced only 14 turnovers, had four blocks and four steals.

"Defensively we played well all night," Loy said. "We take a win and earn from this, they (Mars Hill) are a very good team."

High Point will return to action on Saturday when the Panthers travel to Boiling Springs, N.C. to battle Gardner-Webb. Game time is set for 7 p.m.