MIAMI, Fla. – The Presbyterian College women's basketball team (2-7) wrapped up the FIU Thanksgiving Classic on Sunday morning (Nov. 30) with a 68-48 loss to UMBC at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.
The Retrievers held the Blue Hose to just 27.6 percent shooting from the field on the day. Ja'Cia Cunningham scored a game-high for the second straight time in Miami, tallying 15 points to lead all scorers. Krystal Haddock led the team in rebounds with 6, while Daniella Velez recorded three steals for the Blue Hose.
Cunningham earned All-Tournament honors for Presbyterian after scoring a combined 40 points in her two games in Miami.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
The Retrievers dominated out of the gate, scoring the game's first 13 points. Ja'Cia Cunningham finally scored the first points of the game for the Blue Hose to end the run, but UMBC maintained a 15-3 advantage halfway through the opening period. Morgan Boyd got going for the Blue Hose to keep Presbyterian in it, draining her third three of the season to cut the lead to just 19-12. The Retrievers followed to go back up double-digits, but the Blue Hose closed the quarter strong. Samantha Mullock scored off an offensive rebound in the final minute before Aminata Tal beat the buzzer with a layup to trail 25-18 after 10 minutes of play.
Second Quarter
The second quarter was a defensive battle. UMBC scored the first basket of the quarter with 7:36 left in the half. Cunningham continued to score for the Blue Hose, but the Retrievers began to separate. The Blue Hose cut the lead to 11 with under four minutes left but could not get closer. UMBC held Presbyterian to just six points in the second quarter, taking a 39-24 lead at the break. Cunningham scored all six in the second frame for the Blue Hose.
Third Quarter
The Retrievers stayed hot in the second half, extending their lead in the opening minutes of the third quarter. Daniella Velez scored her first points of the game off a layup followed by another Cunningham basket. However, UMBC responded to take its biggest lead of the game, going up 50-29 with under three minutes to play. The Blue Hose finished the quarter hot offensively, scoring 8 points in the final two minutes. Allie Sykes scored her first points of the game off a three, making two free throws as well. Boyd closed the quarter with a layup, but UMBC led 57-39 going into the fourth.
Fourth Quarter
Aretha Linger and Cunningham paced the Blue Hose offensively in the final period. UMBC maintained a 20-point advantage, but Presbyterian held the Retrievers to their lowest scoring output of the game. Linger and Cunningham scored all nine of PC's points in the fourth quarter. As a team, the Blue Hose held UMBC to just 11 points in the final period, but the Retrievers finished the day with a 68-48 victory.
NOTABLES
- Ja'Cia Cunningham scored in double figures for the 5th time this season.
- Morgan Boyd made a three in her third straight game.
- Aretha Linger returned to the lineup for the Blue Hose, recording two blocked shots.
- As a team, PC logged 7 steals for the game, forcing 16 UMBC turnovers.
UP NEXT
The Blue Hose will be on the road to take on Furman on Wednesday (Dec. 3) at 7:00 p.m. on ESPN+.
