RALEIGH, NC – The William Peace University women's basketball team survived Salem College in their opener of the Jackie Ammons Memorial Tournament, 63-59, advancing to play Agnes Scott College in Saturday's 3:00 p.m. championship game.  

Agnes Scott took care of Mid-Atlantic Christian University, 84-58, to earn their chance at the crown. Salem and MACU will face off in the consolation game tomorrow at 1:00 p.m.

WPU (2-1) fell behind 6-0 to start the game and trailed through the first three quarters. Salem (0-3) scored the first bucket of the fourth to go ahead, 46-42, but the Pacers surged for a 10-0 run and jumped out to their first lead of the game, which they never relinquished on their way to the win. .

"We came out and pressed them pretty much the entire the second half. I think it wore them down some so they started missing jumpers, but at the same time we also started executing better on offense," said head coach Kelly Johnson. "We were impatient early on and it took us a half to adjust to their physicality. We did a much better job attacking the basket in the second half, creating good looks and getting to the line."

The Pacers forced Salem into 19 turnovers, 13 of which came in the second half, for 19 points at the other end.  WPU didn't shoot it well, going 31.1% from the floor (23-of-74) and 3-of-15 (20%) from beyond the arc, but they got to the free-throw line 16 times in the second half and went 14-of-20 (70%) for the game. Salem went 9-of-20 (45%) from the stripe.

Tenae McKinzie led the Pacers with a game high 18 points, five rebounds, four assists and a steal. Lakeia Jones finished with 10 points, seven rebounds, three assists and four steals. Cassidy Clark recorded 10 points, six boards and an assist. Zhana Gooden also added 10 points, three rebounds, two assists and a steal.

Quntashea Lewis and Alexiahonna Bush both posted a double-double for Salem. Lewis went for 13 points, 16 rebounds, two assists and four steals. Bush registered 10 points, 11 boards, a pair of assists, two blocks and a steal.  

Video Coverage and Live Stats will be available for tomorrow championship game. Patrick Johnson will be on the call for the Pacers Basketball Network, taking the air 15 minutes prior to tip-off.

For the latest news and updates from William Peace University Athletics, please visit: http://gopeacepacers.com/.