University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
High Point
High-Powered Panthers Down Asheville, 89-49
12.31.2011 | Women's Basketball
HIGH POINT, N.C. - In the Big South Conference opener for both squads the UNC Asheville women's basketball team dropped an 89-49 decision to High Point on Saturday evening at the Millis Center, as the Panthers improved to 6-6 overall and the Bulldogs fall to 4-8.
Shonese Jones led all players with 19 points while Lindsey Thompson added 11 to the Asheville total. No other Bulldog scored in double figures with Leah Wormack and Gentry Manley posting seven points and six points, respectively.
Shamia Brown scored a team-high 17 points for the Panthers, connecting on 6-of-12 field goals and 5-of-6 free throws. Lindsey Puckett came off the bench to score 16 while Erin Reynolds posted 15 for HPU, with Reynolds picking up a game-high seven assists.
The Panthers out-rebounded the Bulldogs 50-40 while also outscoring Asheville 42-24 in the paint.
Both teams struggled offensively in the early goings of the game until High Point got its offense on track. With the score tied at 2 points apiece the Panthers went on a 28-8 run, taking a 30-10 lead with 10:27 to go in the first.
Asheville was able to cut the lead to 13 on a Jones bucket with 7:30 left in the first, but the Panthers would keep the Bulldogs at bay the rest of the frame, finishing the half on a 16-7 run. At the break HPU held a 46-24 advantage.
In the second half the hot shooting of HPU would continue as they increased their lead to 64-32 over the first five and a half minutes. Asheville would cut the lead to under 30 on two occasions but could not slow down the Panthers, who led by as much as 43 with 1:49 to go in the game.
The Blue & White will have a quick turnaround before its next game, having to travel to Buies Creek, N.C., to take on Big South Conference newcomer Campbell on Monday evening. The Bulldogs earned a 78-75 victory over the Camels last season in a non-conference matchup, winning on a last second 3-pointer by former Bulldog great Kendall Shepard. Tip-off is set for 5:15 p.m.
