RALEIGH, NC – The William Peace University women's basketball team had their best offensive game of the season Sunday afternoon in a dominating, 82-53, win over the Mary Baldwin Fighting Squirrels. 

Freshman Susannah Sykes set the tone right out of the gates, nailing three triples in the first two minutes of the game and four in the opening quarter. WPU shot 10-of-15 (66.7%) from the field to start the game. They led 26-17 after the first, their highest point total in any quarter this season, on their way to a 29-point victory.

"All weekend we've executed the best we have all year offensively, and I thought we moved the ball especially well today.  Suzie Sykes hit six threes in a row, so she was feeling it, got in a rhythm and we followed her," said Head Coach Kelly Johnson.

Sykes hit six of her seven shots (85.7%) from beyond the arc for a season high 20 points, six rebounds, an assist and two steals. It's only the second time this season a Pacer has reached 20 points and the sixth time she's led the team in scoring, all of which have come in the last 13 games.

Cassidy Clark has also been on a recent tear, as she followed up Saturday's 19-point performance by posting her first-career double-double. Clark finished with 18 points on 8-of-12 (66.7%) shooting, 10 rebounds, five assists and a steal.

The Pacers (7-17, 1-14 USAS) received contributions from a number of different players as well, including 12 points, three rebounds, an assist and four steals from Tenae McKinzie. Zhana Gooden added eight points, five rebounds and a career high four assists. Hannah Ericksen chipped in seven points and three boards. Alexis Armstrong did a bit of everything with six points, four rebounds, two assists, a block and three steals. Tamara Murphy had a solid all-around game with four points, seven boards, three assists and a steal.

WPU racked up a season high 19 assists on their 33 made baskets and finished the game shooting at a season high clip of 52.4% (33-of-63) from the field.  The Pacers also had an impressive 8-of-13 (61.5%) outing from the bonusphere, which was a season high for makes from three-point land. 

The Pacers also clamped down defensively after Mary Baldwin shot 8-of-15 (53.3%) in the first quarter. The Squirrels coughed it up 20 times and only shot 24.3% (10-of-41) from the second quarter on. WPU also out-rebounded Mary Baldwin, 45-33.

"We were worried about getting beat off the dribble early on, but we did a lot better as the game went on getting in the gaps and driving the help. We won the rebound battle. We did turn it over a little more than I would have liked, but other than that I'm pretty happy," Johnson added.

Kaybria Johnson and Juanaysa Singletary led the way for Mary Baldwin. Johnson scored 20 points to go with four rebounds, five assists and three steals. Singletary had 15 points, two boards, an assist and three steals.

The WPU women's basketball team closes the season at the Hermann Athletic Center next Saturday against Greensboro College at 1:00 p.m.

Video Coverage and Live Stats will be available for the contest. Daron Vaught will be on the call for the Pacers Basketball Network.

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