DURHAM, N.C. – The Presbyterian College women's basketball team powered its way to a lead shortly before halftime and never let go in its Saturday afternoon contest at NC Central, toppling the Eagles, 45-33.
The Blue Hose improve to 6-5 and will break for Christmas before playing at Campbell on Tuesday, December 30 at 7 p.m. NC Central falls to 2-10.
The Eagles' 33 points tie a season-low for a PC opponent this season. The Blue Hose held the Eagles to 26.2 percent shooting (11-for-42) and only one three-pointer on 13 attempts.
Janie Miles (Clemson, S.C.) scored a career-high 21 points, the first Blue Hose to break the 20-point plateau since Keyonna Allen notched 20 at Coastal Carolina on February 22 of last season. Miles scored 15 of her points from distance on a career-best five three-pointers. Allen paced PC on the boards with eight rebounds and Rebecca Walker (Snellville, Ga.) chipped in 11 points.
PC battled through a slow first half for both teams but used lockdown defense for a 21-13 edge at halftime. The Eagles managed only six points through the game's first 13 minutes as PC held a slim lead midway through the opening period.
Upon the Eagles moving ahead, a Miles three-pointer put the visitors back in front with 4:51 to go. Imani Atkinson then converted a layup over a minute later to cut PC's lead to 14-13, but the Blue Hose answered by rattling off seven straight points to take a 21-13 lead into the locker room. Walker kickstarted the run with a pair at the foul line and Aianna Kelly (Virginia Beach, Va.) sank a jumper before Miles capped the half with a buzzer-beating three-pointer.
PC's lead rarely sank below double-digits in the second half. Miles put PC up by 15 at the 12:53 mark before the Eagles crept within seven with 6:06 to go. Miles came through again, however, knocking down a trey to push PC's lead back to 10. Walker hit two last free throws with six seconds to go to make it the final tally of 45-33.
