RALEIGH, N.C. - The William Peace women's basketball team improved to 3-0 on the season Saturday afternoon with a 73-40 victory over Guilford College in its home opener at the Hermann Athletic Center. The Pacers held the Quakers scoreless throughout the fourth quarter, outscoring Guilford 17-0 over the final 10 minutes to secure their third consecutive victory.
Peace established an early lead, holding Guilford to 10 points in the opening quarter while taking a 16-10 advantage. The Pacers extended their lead to as many as 14 points in the second quarter before the Quakers narrowed the deficit to six, bringing the halftime score to 32-26.
The Pacers opened the second half with a 13-0 run, extending their advantage to 39-26 with 7:04 remaining in the third quarter. Guilford cut the deficit to eight midway through the period, but Peace responded with a 15-7 stretch to close the quarter, taking a 56-40 lead into the fourth.
Peace's defense controlled the final quarter, holding Guilford without a point on 0-for-17 shooting from the field, including 0-for-3 from beyond the arc. The Pacers continued to extend their advantage offensively, shooting 58.3 percent in the quarter while scoring 17 unanswered points to complete the 33-point victory.
Zikira Henderson led Peace with 17 points, five rebounds, four assists and four steals, connecting on three shots from beyond the arc. Zarah Gray followed with 12 points, six assists and four steals, while Zakoreya Davis added 10 points and five rebounds. Kristin Barber and Amiah Griffin each contributed nine points, with Griffin collecting a team-high eight rebounds.
As a team, Peace shot 42.6 percent from the field and recorded 18 steals while forcing 29 Guilford turnovers. The Pacers converted those turnovers into 30 points and held the Quakers to 23.2 percent shooting for the contest.
William Peace returns to action Tuesday, November 17, when the Pacers host Randolph College at 7 p.m. in the Hermann Athletic Center.
