Danville, VA -- William Peace University women's basketball took a 78-61 win over Averett University to sweep the series and begin the season off with a 2-0 record. The first half of the game was a close contest, with the Pacers leading by 44-37 heading into halftime. Maria Devincenzo, Kiera Williams, and Sydney Austin would spark the Pacer offense to lead the team to the 78-61 win.

THE BASICS

• Final score: William Peace University 78 (2-0),  Averett University 61 (0-2)
• Location: Danville, VA

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Pacers would get an early jump and take a 5-0 lead in the first quarter, with Sydney Austin putting up several early points to give the team their momentum. A drive under the net by Kiera Williams would bring the lead to 9-4, while Maria Devincenzo would add a shot from behind the arc to give the team a 16-8 lead. Devincenzo and Williams would be key factors in the first quarter, sending the Pacers into the second leading 26-18.
• The Cougars would push back in the second quarter, putting up a few consecutive points before Williams would get the Pacers on the board to lead 28-23. Sydney Austin continued to spark the Pacers as her 3-point shot increased the lead to 30-23. Jumpers by Kiera Williams and Stephanie Chandler would give the team a 41-28 advantage. A shot from behind the arc by Lauryn Cross would send the Pacers into halftime leading 44-37.
• Maria Devincenzo would start off the second half for the Pacers, notching her 15th point of the game as the Pacers led 48-37. After a few scoreless minutes, Jaymesha Sanders would add a couple shots from the foul line to give WPU a 52-42 edge. A jumper by Lauryn Cross would bring the score to 54-44, while Pamela Mock's shots from the foul line would give the Pacers a 56-48 lead heading into the final quarter.
• Kiera Williams would draw a foul early in the final quarter to give the Pacers a 58-48 lead. The Cougars would press the Pacer defense, coming within six points before a shot from behind the arc by Lauryn Cross would bring the Pacer lead to 61-52. Stephanie Chandler and Jaymesha Sanders would trade back-to-back layups to increase the Pacer lead to 76-61. Sydney Austin would put up the final points for the Pacers to secure the 78-61 win.

PACER TOP PERFORMERS

• Maria Devincenzo led the team with 17 points and 9 rebounds as she went 6-10 from the field.
• Sydney Austin and Kiera Williams bolstered the Pacer offense with 16 points and 14 points, respectively.

FOR THE FOES

• Camryn Lunsford led the Cougars with 23 points
• Genesis Weiters recorded a double-double for Averett as she tallied 13 points and 14 boards.

STATS OF THE GAME

• The Pacers grabbed 53 boards in comparison to the Cougars' 36.
• WPU went 20-22 from the foul line.

NEXT GAME
The Pacers will host N.C. Wesleyan on January 22nd at 7:30PM.

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