Trailing through most of the game, the High Point University women's basketball team rallied in the second half to defeat Birmingham-Sothern, 60-52 on Saturday night in the Millis Center.

Senior Leslie Cook led HPU (15-9, 8-2) with 12 points while Jennifer Long had 11. Amber Manuel had 10 points and 12 rebounds for her third double-double of the season.

For BSC (7-18, 2-8 BSC) Reba Ross had 18 points and Muneca Oliver added a career-high 17.

Birmingham controlled much of the first half, starting the game with a three point basket from Marisah Henderson. High Point would cut the lead to one when Katie Ralls hit a jumper on the next possession but a lay-up followed by a made free throw from Ross would increase the lead back to four.

HPU would take it's a three point lead, 15-12 at 11:14 with a jumper from Andrea Tucker before BSC went on a 11-2 run to take their largest lead, up six with 7:48 left in the opening period. Birmingham would hold on to the lead for the rest of the half, to go into the break with the 26-21 advantage.

Coming out of the break, HPU cut the lead to two off a made free throw and a lay-up on the following possession from Manuel. The southern Panthers wouldn't go away as Pam Thornborrow connected for three on the next possession to bring the lead back to five, 29-24.

The two teams battled over the next 10 minutes, exchanging leads four times and tying four times. HPU took the lead for good at the 6:10 mark when Cook hit a pair of charity shots. That sparked a 15-5 run by HPU to go up 55-43 with just under a minute to play. The 12 point advantage would mark the largest of the game. In the final minute and a half, the Panthers connected on 10-of-12 from the line to secure the victory.

High Point had 61 rebounds in the game which is just five shy of tying the school record for single game output. Caitlin Thys pulled down a game-high 13. BSC forced 19 turnovers and had nine steals.

HPU will be back in action on Wednesday, Feb. 21 when they host UNC-Asheville. The Panthers are looking to avenge an early conference season loss to the Bulldogs. Game time is set for 7 p.m. in the Millis Center.