JOHNSON CITY, TENN. – The High Point University women's basketball team defeated the Winthrop Eagles, 64-49, to advance to the Hercules Tires Big South Basketball Championship game. This is HPU's first appearance in the championship game since the 2022-23 season and the third time under
Chelsea Banbury.
Site: Freedom Hall Civic Center
Score: High Point 64, Winthrop 49
Records: High Point (20-11, 13-3), Winthrop (16-15, 9-7)
Head Coach Chelsea Banbury: "That was a dogfight tonight. I'm just super proud of our girls. They battled for 40 minutes and came together and defended as a team. We talked a lot about team defense, and they bought into that. With Nakyah (Terrell) going down in the first quarter, they responded well. Our hearts break for her, it's so hard to see. She is a senior and you never want to see that sort of injury on anybody. I think our girls are now coming together and now they're playing for more than themselves. They're playing for their teammate that wants to be out there. Our girls battled all night long, I'm really proud of them and our team. We're not done yet."
The Panthers and the Eagles started back and forth to open the first 10 minutes of action. After being tied at 12 with about three minutes remaining, a pair of free throws from
Chana Paxixe and a three pointer from
Lauren Scott started the 8-0 run to close out the first quarter for High Point
Winthrop worked their way back to within five points before High Point found its stride and took full advantage by pushing the lead to double digits. Paxixe who seemed to be everywhere on the court tonight knocked down a huge three pointer that sent the crowd into a frenzy to push HPU up 15, 34-19. The biggest lead of the night came right after as
Aaliyah Collins connected on a fastbreak layup to take a 17-point advantage. A late jumper by the Eagles took High Point to the locker room with a, 36-21 lead at halftime.
Within the first five minutes of the third quarter, Winthrop went on an 8-0 run to bring the lead back to within eight points. High Point had an answer right away going on a 6-0 run of its own to go right back to holding a 14-point advantage heading into the fourth quarter, 49-35.
An 11-3 run started the fourth for HPU after
Dom Nesland dropped a big time three pointer to start the run for the Panthers. Lawrence dropped in an easy layup in the paint to take the biggest lead of the game, 60-38, just four minutes left. Time kept ticking as the Eagles tried to do all they could to cut the deficit. Mixed with great defense and scoring, HPU held on to complete the 15-point, 64-49, victory to send them to the championship game.
Up Next: High Point will play for the Big South title tomorrow night against the No. 2 seeded Longwood University at 6:00 p.m. on ESPN 2.
#H3U x #GoHPU
