Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Jones Scores Career-High 23 Points In Lander Loss
** Lander Sports Information Contributed To This Story
GREENWOOD, S.C. – Lander’s LaShonda Chiles made a triumphant return home, scoring 28 points to lead the Lady Bearcats to a 93-75 non-conference women’s basketball victory over Presbyterian Wednesday night in the season opener for both teams at Horne Arena.
The Lady Blue Hose were led by Amy Jones’ 23 points. The 23 points were a career-high for the junior captain.
PC's Morgan Johnson had 21 points and was the top rebounder in the game with 11.
Kerianne Blease chimed in with 14 points, while Bridget Takach picked up 12 points and eight assists.
Lander newcomer Jasmine Collier tallied eight 3-pointers and 24 points.
Chiles, a former All-American who played three years at Anderson University, transferred for her senior season back to her hometown and hit 10 of 18 shots from the floor to lead all scorers.
Tiara Good added 13 points and eight assists for Lander while teammate Stephanie Ponds had five blocked shots. Tara Nyikavaranda was the top rebounder for the Lady Bearcats with 10.
The Lander victory avenged a 101-67 loss against PC last season. The 93 points represented the most Lander has ever scored against the Lady Blue Hose.
Jones completed a three-point play to give the visitors a 50-46 lead with 14:50 left in the game. After Lander forged back ahead, Takach hit a 3-pointer and Taylor Price scored inside to push the Lady Blue Hose back in front, 63-62, with 9:37 left.
But Lander took control of the game with a 13-2 run as April McClendon scored inside, Collier hit a 3-pointer, McClendon converted a three-point play, Chiles drove for a bucket, and Collier hit another trey to give the Lady Bearcats a 75-65 lead at the 6:50 mark.
PC hung tough, closing to within 77-73 when Blease hit two free throws with 4:42 to go.
But Chiles, Crouch and Collier hit consecutive 3-pointers to place the Lady Bearcats ahead at 86-73 with 2:50 left.
Lander started off its new season quickly when Crouch and Chiles hit 3-pointers for a 6-0 lead. But the Lady Blue Hose went on an 18-5 run over a five-minute stretch behind six points apiece from Jones and Johnson for an 18-11 advantage with 13:04 left.
The Lady Bearcats responded with a 20-2 run including 13 unanswered points to take a 31-20 lead with 7:56 left. Nyikavaranda started the 13-0 run with a basket inside, Chiles converted a three-point play, and Jasmine Collier hit a 3-pointer to give Lander a 19-18 lead. Nyikavaranda hit two free throws and Good nailed a 3-pointer to complete the 13-0 run.
Good swished another trey to finish the 20-2 run that spanned five minutes.
PC finished the first half strong, outscoring the hosts 17-8 over the final 7:43. Jones and Johnson again led the charge with five points apiece. Jones and Johnson led the Lady Blue Hose with 11 points apiece in the first half. Chiles had 15 points to lead all first-half scorers while Good scored 10.