CLINTON, S.C. – The Presbyterian College women's basketball team (1-0) opened its season at home on Monday afternoon (Nov. 3) with a win over Warren Wilson, dominating the Owls en route to a 113-45 victory. PC's 113 points scored is the program's most since the Blue Hose put up 132 against Bluefield on Dec. 20, 2022. 113 is also the most the Blue Hose have scored in a season opener since PC became a Division I program in 2007.
In her first career collegiate game, Allie Sykes led the Blue Hose in scoring, tallying 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the floor with five made threes. Three other Blue Hose scored in double figures: Aminata Tal (16), Aretha Linger (15), and Ja'Cia Cunningham (14). As a team, PC shot 47.3 percent from the field and went 11-of-24 from the three point line.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
The Blue Hose started fast to open the season, jumping out to a 14-2 lead to begin proceedings highlighted by a three pointer from Shelby Fiddler. The Owls cut the lead to 20-8 before a jumper by Ja'Cia Cunningham jump started another run by PC. Allie Sykes hit her first career three pointer to help PC finish the quarter on a 12-2 run. After 10 minutes of play, PC dominated to a 30-10 lead over the Owls. Aminata Tal paced the Blue Hose in the first, leading all scorers with six.
Second Quarter
Both teams traded baskets to start the second quarter before a layup from Aretha Linger followed by Fiddler's second three of the afternoon helped PC go on another run. Baskets from Amani Williams and Cunningham gave the Blue Hose a 47-19 advantage with under three minutes to play in the half. Presbyterian finished the half on fire, scoring five points in the final 20 seconds. Sykes drilled another three with just three seconds left, giving PC a 53-24 lead at the break. The Blue Hose made four threes in the first half and shot 44 percent overall from the field.
Third Quarter
Shelby Fiddler got the Blue Hose going in the second half, knocking down a three right away. Layups by Tal and Ore Ogunwolere helped PC extend the lead to 63-26 halfway through the third quarter. Late in the quarter, Arteha Linger got going for PC, scoring four points in the final minute. Sykes made a layup in the closing seconds of the quarter to put the Blue Hose up 84-34 going into the final period.
Fourth Quarter
Sykes made two more threes to open the scoring for PC in the fourth quarter. Daniella Velez got in on the action as well for the Blue Hose, drilling a three. Laetitia Kamdoum and Samantha Mullock scored their first career points in a Presbyterian uniform. Linger finished off a productive day with a three in the last minute to help guide the Blue Hose to a 113-45 win over Warren Wilson. She finished 7-of-12 from the floor and grabbed seven rebounds to go along with two blocked shots.
NOTABLES
- PC's 68 point margin of victory over the Owls is the largest the Blue Hose have had since they defeated Bluefield on Dec. 20, 2022 by 102.
- All 13 players scored in Monday's contest for Presbyterian.
- The Blue Hose held a 66-30 rebounding advantage over the Owls for the game. The 66 total rebounds for PC is just one short of the most in a single-game in program history. The Blue Hose recorded 67 rebounds against Allen on Nov. 18, 2014.
- PC's 11 made threes is the most the team has had since Jan. 20, 2024, when the Blue Hose drilled 10.
- Ja'Cia Cunningham tied her career-high in rounds with nine for the game. Her nine rebounds led the team and were a game-high.
- PC forced 40 turnovers defensively against the Owls, the most in a single-game in program history. Ogunwolere, Tal, and Velez each recorded four steals. The four steals for Tal is a career-high.
- The Blue Hose had 73 bench points for the game and scored 62 points in the paint. They held the Owls to four and 32 in those same categories.
UP NEXT
The Blue Hose will travel to Winston-Salem to take on Wake Forest on Thursday, Nov. 6. Tipoff is set for 6:00 pm on ACCNX.
