The High Point University women's basketball team dropped Winthrop, 57-51 to remain in first place and undefeated in the Big South Conference.

HPU improves its season record to 16-4 (7-0 Big South) while the Eagles fall to 10-9 (4-2 Big South).

With the 7-0 record, the Panthers are off to their best conference start since moving to Division I status in the fall of 1999.

Leading the Panthers against Winthrop was Big South Preseason Player of the Year Katie O'Dell with 16 points and eight rebounds. O'Dell's eight rebounds moves her into ninth place on the school's all-time leading rebounders list with 609, just ahead of All-American (NAIA) Sharon Hill who had 606.

Junior Katie Ralls also hit double figures with 14. Erica Brockmyer set a new career high in rebounds, pulling down seven, breaking her previous record of 5.

For the Eagles Iva Milevoj posted 18 points while Ashley Fann had 11. Jolandra Crump pulled down 13 boards to match a career high.

High Point jumped out to an early lead with back to back baskets from Candyce Sellars and O'Dell, but Winthrop didn't stay down long and quickly tied the game up at six. At 15:50 O'Dell hit a three to pull the Panthers ahead before both teams went on a scoring drought over the next six minutes. A layup at 9:45 by Winthrop's Yvonne Daalen ended the drought and pulled the Eagles within one. It would be the closest that Winthrop would come to taking the lead for the rest of the game. High Point went on an 11 point run sparked by a three pointer from Ralls to close out the half and take a 24-13 lead into the break.

The Panthers continued to dominate the second half, leading by as many as 15 points. Going into the final minutes, the Eagles pulled to within 6 with 3:18 remaining (48-42). High Point went 7-of-8 from the line to seal the victory over the final minutes.

Tonight's game concluded the first half of the conference schedule for the Panthers. The team will enjoy a week-long break before returning to the court Saturday, Feb. when they will host UNC Asheville. Game time is set for 4 p.m. in the Millis Athletic Center.