University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
Montreat
Manley Leads Bulldogs Past Montreat, 73-64
11.19.2011 | Women's Basketball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. - Gentry Manley scored a career-high 17 points as UNC Asheville held off visiting Montreat College, 73-64 Saturday afternoon at Kimmel Arena.
The Bulldogs (2-1) also received 18 points from Lindsey Thompson and 16 points from Kelli Riles to offset a brilliant performance from Cavalier senior guard Mykeia Russell, who finished with a game-high 28 points.
The game was counted as an exhibition game for Montreat and does not count on its won-loss record.
"We grinded it out today," commented Asheville coach Betsy Blose. "It wasn't pretty but we did what we had to get a win this afternoon.
"Montreat is a very good team. They're well-coached and know how to play," added Blose. "I'm happy to get a victory."
Also in double figures for Montreat was Ebony Battle with 10 points. She also had six assists.
Freshman Leah Wormack just missed a double-double with nine points and 10 rebounds.
Freshman guard Tacey Trammel had four assists and seven steals.
The Bulldogs led for most of the game and used a 12-2 run midway through the first half to take a 26-16 lead. Riles scored six points during the run, while Thompson added five points.
The Cavaliers used a five-point possession late in the first half to carve the lead to 37-34. The visitors got a three-point play from Laticia Singleton and two free throws on a technical four on the Bulldogs. Riles hit a lay-up off a feed from Thompson to give Asheville a 39-34 halftime lead.
In the second half, the Bulldogs simply could not put the Cavaliers away. Hannah Kolbeck scored at the 7:40 mark to get Montreat within 59-54.
The visitors had two chances to make it a one possession game but each time Asheville got the stop. Manley then scored four straight points to fuel a 6-0 run to push the margin to 65-54 with 5:08 left.
The Cavaliers could get no closer than eight the rest of the way as Asheville earned its sixth straight win over its NAIA neighbors.
"Gentry Manley did a super job for us today," stated Blose. "She did what we asked her to do and really sparked us."
Manley also collected a career-high eight rebounds. The junior forward went 5-of-7 from the field and 7-of-8 from the charity stripe. Riles went 8-for-9 from the field and connected on her first eight shots of the game before missing a five-footer late in the contest.
The Bulldogs play next at Furman Monday night at 7 p.m.
