RALEIGH, NC – After suffering a lopsided loss to Lynchburg in their season opener, the William Peace University women's basketball team bounced back on Sunday with a 61-39 win over St. Andrews University.
"I have to give our girls credit for the way they responded after taking a pounding Friday night. They came back Saturday ready to work and came in today ready to go," said head coach
Kelly Johnson. "We're still a young team, but everyone stepped up, did their job and really started playing with confidence."
St. Andrews went on a 6-0 run to end the first quarter and led, 16-15, but the Pacers (1-1) went ahead 17-16 on a bucket from
Alexis Armstrong less than a minute into the second quarter and never trailed again. WPU held the Knights (2-3) to single digits in each of the final three quarters. The Pacers led by eight at halftime (32-24), and stretched their lead to as many as 24 in the second half.
WPU shot 40% from the field (25-of-63) compared to a 26% day for the Knights (15-of-51). The Pacers did a good job of turning defense into offense, forcing SAU to cough it up 26 times for 23 points at the other end. The Pacers also held a 43-40 edge on the glass.
Freshman
Tenae McKinzie led the way and was one of three Pacers in double figures, posting a near double-double with 13 points, nine assists, four rebounds and six steals.
Zhana Gooden finished with 12 points, three rebounds and a steal, while Armstrong registered 10 points, a team high eight rebounds, a block and a steal.
For the Knights, Alana Artis recorded a double-double with game highs of 18 points and 11 rebounds. She also added a pair of assists and two blocks.
The WPU women's basketball team will be back at the Hermann Athletic Center this weekend, hosting the annual Jackie Ammons Memorial Tournament this Friday and Saturday, November 20 and 21. Agnes Scott and Mid-Atlantic Christian will kick things off Friday at 6:00 p.m., followed by the Pacers' opening game against Salem.
For the latest news and updates from William Peace University Athletics, please visit:
http://gopeacepacers.com/.
