Raleigh, NC -- William Peace University women's basketball defeated Greensboro College by a score of 78-61 . The Pride had an early advantage over the Pacers, with the game sitting at just a 1-point difference heading into halftime. Sydney Austin would come up big for WPU in the second half to secure the 78-61 victory.

THE BASICS

• Final score: William Peace 78, Greensboro 61
• Records: William Peace (5-4, 5-4), Greensboro (1-6, 1-6)
• Location: Raleigh, NC

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The first quarter would be a tight matchup, with a layup by Mariah Partin putting WPU up 3-2 early. The Pride would take advantage of the foul line to take a 15-9 lead, with a drive under the net by Jaymesha Sanders cutting that lead to 15-11. Kiera Williams would draw a foul to bring the Pacers even closer as they trailed 18-16, but the Pride would go on a run at the end of the first to lead 25-16 heading into the second.
• The Pride would continue to push WPU in the second, taking a 28-16 lead. A layup by Sydney Austin would cut the lead to ten points as the Pacers trailed 30-20, with Austin adding another layup to bring the score to 30-22. Nautica Falls would put up two points to bring the Pacers within striking distance as they trailed 32-29. Maria DeVincenzo would give the Pacers the lead with 9 seconds remaining in the first half as her shot from behind the arc put them up 36-35.
• The start of the third quarter would be a back-and-forth battle between the two teams before a few free throws by Mariah Partin would give WPU a 43-40 edge. Sydney Austin would notch her 16th and 17th points of the game from the foul line to increase the lead to 45-40, with Alysiah Taylor's shots from the foul line bringing the score to 52-43 in favor of the Pacers. The Pride would add a few points, but the third would end in favor of the Pacers by a score of 54-47.
• Jaymesha Sanders would add a few layups to start off the fourth quarter to put the Pacers ahead 60-49, while a drive under the net and a shot from the foul line by Maria DeVincenzo would give them a 63-49 advantage. Myla Barnes would increase the Pacer lead as her free throws would bring the score to 69-55. Sydney Austin would continue to lead the team as she added her 22nd point with a shot from the foul line to bring the score to 72-56. A few free throws by DeVincenzo and a final drive under the net by Austin would finalize the 78-61 win for the Pacers.

PACER TOP PERFORMERS

• Sydney Austin led the Pacers with 24 points and 9 rebounds as she went 8-15 from the field.
• Jaymesha Sanders tallied 14 points, while Maria DeVincenzo added 12.

FOR THE FOES

• Lauren Livingstone led the Pride with 20 points.
• Destiny Timberlake added 12 points and 8 rebounds.

STATS OF THE GAME

• The Pacers shot 43.4% from the field and tallied 56 rebounds.

NEXT GAME
The Pacers will head to Greensboro, NC to take on the Pride on Sunday, February 14th. Tip-off is scheduled for 12 PM.

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