Wednesday,
December 3 ,2003
PRESBYTERIAN
DEFEATS USC SPARTANBURG 72-67 IN WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ACTION
PC’s
Haskins leads four in double figures with 22 points
CLINTON,
S.C. — Presbyterian
College came back from a double-digit deficit in the first half
to defeat the Lady Rifles of USC Spartanburg 72-67 in women’s
basketball action Wednesday night at the Ross E. Templeton
Center.
The
Blue Hose (3-4) trailed by as many as 14 points (30-14) in the
first half at the 5:39 mark before going on a 16-8 run to end
the half. The Lady Rifles (3-3) led 38-30 at halftime after
shooting 63.0% from the floor and holding a 19-14 advantage in
rebounds. PC struggled in the first half from the floor by
shooting 31.3%, but hit eight-of-10 free throws entering
intermission. USC Spartanburg was led by sophomore center Yakeeshia
Ross’ (Birmingham, Ala.) 12 first half points while PC was
paced by six points from redshirt sophomore forward Dana
Birnie (Suwanee, Ga.) and sophomore center Anna
Sheppard (Norcross, Ga.).
In
the second half, PC opened with a 14-2 run and took their first
lead of the game at 42-40 with 13:25 remaining on a layup by
Birnie. The Lady Rifles responded with a 9-0 run to take their
biggest lead of the second half at 49-42 with 10:50 remaining on
a layup by sophomore forward Julia
Blandin (Simpsonville, S.C.).
Both
teams took turns with the lead down the stretch until Haskins’
three-pointer at the 2:30 mark gave PC the lead for good at
66-65. Junior guard Lauren
Dobson (Greenville, S.C.) hit a pair of free throws and
a jumper while Haskins connected on two-of-four free throws to
seal the victory for the Blue Hose.
The
Lady Rifles shot 57.1% from the floor for the game, but
struggled to hit only six-of-12 free throw attempts. PC shot
34.5% from the floor, but hit 27-of-33 free throws on the night.
PC
was led by senior guard Billie
Haskins’ (Greensboro, Ga.) 22 points and six rebounds
while for the second straight game Dobson set her career-high in
scoring with 15 points to go along with a pair of assists.
Birnie chipped in 11 points and three rebounds while sophomore
forward Cameron Cook
(Greensboro, N.C.) came off the bench to added 10 points and 10
rebounds including seven on the offensive glass.
USC
Spartanburg was led by Ross who tallied a double-double of 22
points and 11 rebounds while Blandin added 11 points and 10
rebounds.
PC
returns to action this Saturday, December 6 as they travel to
Savannah, Ga. to take on the Lady Pirates of Armstrong Atlantic
State University at 7pm while USC Spartanburg travels to Mars
Hill, N.C. on Monday, December 8 to take on the Lady Lions at
8pm.