RALEIGH, NC – The William Peace women's basketball team stayed close against a bigger and deeper Guilford team on Thursday, but eventually ran out of steam in an 84-62 loss at the Hermann Athletic Center.
Led by
Nautica Smiley, the Pacers went toe-to-toe with the unbeaten Quakers most of the game. She scored nine points during a 19-7 run which cut a 15-point deficit to three (38-35) at halftime.
The Pacers stayed within striking distance midway in the third period.
Brittany Blackburn's layup off Smiley's assist sliced the Quakers' lead to 47-43.
The Pacers' momentum evaporated late in the third, however, as the Quakers opened a double-digit lead. The margin never dipped to single digits the rest of the game.
Smiley finished with 22 points and added five rebounds and three assists. The Pacers (2-4 overall) played most of the game without leading scorer
Tanaesha Ellison, who was saddled with foul trouble. The junior guard played nine minutes but still scored 10 points.
Blackburn totaled eight points and
Hannah Lewis nearly posted a double-double with nine points and 11 rebounds.
Allye Woodruff had eight rebounds and
Ja'Naisja Baker collected seven steals and five assists.
Courtney McMillian paced the Quakers (4-0 overall) with 18 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks. Guilford won the rebounding battle 62-35.
The Pacers will host their second game in two days Friday, Dec. 1, against Bob Jones University at the Hermann Athletic Center. Tip-off is 6 p.m.
