University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
Lees-McRae
Women's Basketball Rolls in Second Half to Down Lees-McRae 82-58
11.21.2009 | Women's Basketball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. - UNC Asheville placed six players in double figures as the Bulldogs rallied past Lees-McRae 82-58 in a non-conference women's basketball game at Justice Center Saturday afternoon.
The Bulldogs (2-1) trailed 43-34 at halftime to the Bobcats (0-1) but outscored their Division II foe 48-15 in the second half to win their second game in a row.
Asheville was led by junior guard Dana Wagner with a career-high 16 points. She had 13 points in the second half and helped spark the Bulldog rally. Linda Aughburns had her second straight double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Lindsey Thompson finished with 12 points. Kiana Rainey had 11 points and nine rebounds. Chioma Okoli chipped in 11 points and six rebounds. Lindsey Montgomery added 10 points and nine rebounds.
Wagner was 6-of-8 from the field and 4-of-6 from beyond the arc.
Lees McRae had two players in double figures as Icey Patterson had 12 points. Colette Montgomery added 10 points and seven rebounds.
"We played much better in the second half," stated Asheville coach Betsy Blose. "It was nice to see us get so much scoring from so many different players. We need to play well for 40 minutes thought. However, I was pleased with the adjustments we made at halftime and how we played in the second half.
The Bobcats went on a 25-9 run and scored 11 straight points late in the first half to take a stunning 43-34 halftime lead. The visitors knocked down five 3-pointers and shot 53 percent from the field to take the nine-point lead. They also took advantage of 15 Bulldog turnovers and scored 24 points off those turnovers.
The second half was much different. Asheville went on an amazing 35-4 run over a 10-minute stretch to seize control of the game and lead 71-51. The star of the run was Wagner who scored all 13 of her second-half points during the run. Her back-to-back three-pointers gave the Bulldogs the lead for good at 53-49 at the 11:30 mark.
Asheville's defense smothered the Bobcats and the Bulldogs' inside offense came alive, as well. The home team's final 14 points of the run came on lay-ups or made free throws.
Asheville dominated the boards with a 49-22 advantage. Kendall Shepard had a season-high eight assists. The Bulldogs only made six turnovers in the second half.
Asheville is home again Saturday night against Campbell at 7 p.m.
