CHARLESTON, S.C. – Four Panthers scored in double figures as the High Point University women's basketball team defeated Charleston Southern, 68-52, on the road Wednesday night.
Site: Buccaneer Field House
Score: High Point 68, Charleston Southern 52
Records: High Point (16-11, 11-3), Charleston Southern (12-15, 8-6)
Head Coach Chelsea Banbury: "Anytime you can get a win on the road in the conference, you're doing something right. On the other side of it, I think we allowed them to get too many offensive rebounds, but besides that, I think our defensive game plan was really good.
Nakyah Terrell did a great job on Catherine Alben, taking her out of what she wanted to do. That was a group effort, but Nakyah took on that responsibility herself.
Jaleesa Lawrence especially in the first half was getting to the rim and they had a hard time guarding her. She was huge getting us going and we took care of the ball. 12 turnovers, so it's defiantly why we were able to get the win."
Nakyah Terrell helped lead the Panthers to an early advantage as she went a perfect 4-4 in the first quarter for nine points.
Jaleesa Lawrence was a perfect 6-6 from the line as the Panthers led 22-15 after 10 minutes inside the Buc Dome.
Lawrence started the second quarter with a bucket to put her at 10 points. High Point really started to create some separation after
Nevaeh Zavala connected on a layup to push the lead to double digits. A good three pointer by
Lauren Scott with 4:22 left in the half took the Panthers lead to 13. Slowly the Buccaneers worked their way back to only a six-point deficit with just under two minutes to play. A Lawrence layup and a Zavala three late in the quarter pushed High Point to the break with a 42-33 advantage.
Chana Paxixe started the second half with a splash from beyond the arc to get the offense going again. After Paxixe's three pointer, HPU went on a 9-0 run to take a 20-point lead. Lawrence connected on a layup followed by another Paxixe and Zavala three pointer before CSU found the basket again. Not a whole lot of action in the last three minutes took the Panthers to the fourth quarter with a 18-point, 57-39 lead over the Buccaneers.
Charleston Southern went on a 9-2 run to open the fourth quarter to bring the Panthers lead to only 11 with 5:30 remaining in regulation. After two made baskets by Zavala and Terrell it sealed the win and forced the Buccaneers to try and foul their way back into it. High Point held on to take a 16-point win to remain in first place in the Big South Conference.
Only five Panthers recorded points in tonight's win as Lawrence led the floor with 20 points, eight rebounds, and four assists. High Point found 21 of its points off turnovers as the Panthers defense worked their way to cause 18 Buccaneer turnovers.
Up Next: High Point will host Gardner-Webb University at the Qubein Center on Saturday, February 22. Tip-off is set for 2:00 p.m.
#H3U x #GoHPU
