RALEIGH, NC – Sunday's family affair between the Pacers and Saint Andrews University came down to the wire, with WPU head coach Kelly Johnson coming out on top of his daughter and former Pacer great, Brooke Johnson. What seemed to be a potential blowout in favor the Knights early on, turned into an exciting game of runs and momentum shifts, which the Pacers won by the narrowest of margins, 62-61.
It was a tale of two halves for WPU, who looked overmatched to begin the game. They fell behind 9-0 early on and trailed by as many as 14 (21-7) at the 9:17 mark. The Pacers did eventually show up, as an 8-0 run cut their deficit to four (25-21) at the 2:17 mark, but they trailed SAU by nine (32-23) at the half.
After shooting a meager 29% (9-31) in the first half thanks to the Knight's stingy full-court press, the Pacers came out on a tear in the second half. They shot 56% (14-25) from the field and led by as many 13 points at the 6:36 mark. WPU also took much better care of the ball, committing only eight turnovers after they coughed it up 15 times the previous half.
The Pacers had plenty of chances to seal the game down the stretch, but their inability to make free-throws almost cost them another win (12/1 vs. NC Wesleyan). After connecting on all three of their attempts in the first half, WPU went only 8-27 (29.6%) from the stripe in the second, which helped fuel a 17-1 run that brought SAU to within one (59-58) at the 2:17 mark. The Pacers went 0-4 from the field and missed 12 free-throws from the 6:36 point forward. However, Brittany Boykin eventually came through with a pair of clutch free-throws to make it a 60-57 game with 1:16 left, and WPU was able to do just enough for the win.
"We came back, started really well in the second half and looked like we were in the control, but their press gave us some problems, and anytime you miss 19 free-throws you're living on the edge a little bit," said head coach Kelly Johnson. "We aren't going to play anyone more athletic or any bigger than they are so we hopefully we can take this win and build on it."
Alexis Armstrong led the Pacers offensively, scoring 12 points on a 6-8 (75%) day from the field, in addition to five rebounds and three assists. Derrica Jones had 11 points, seven rebounds, a blocked shot, and a steal. Dejah Cheathem scored nine on off the bench to go along with three rebounds, two assists, and a pair of steals. Ka'la Jordan had eight points, six rebounds, six steals, and three assists. Krystal Williams also scored eight points while adding five assists, five steals, and two rebounds.
For SAU, Ashley Jennings came off the bench for a game high 14 points and eight rebounds. Tyesha McLean had 11 points, five rebounds, two assists, and three steals. Kima Sidberry also reached double-figures with 10 points, two rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
The WPU women's basketball team will return to action this weekend for a pair of conference games against the USA South's South Division. The Pacers will play Maryville on Friday followed by a Saturday matchup against Covenant.
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