CLINTON, S.C. – The Presbyterian College women's basketball team (2-16, 0-5 Big South) fell on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 17), dropping a home contest to the Bulldogs 64-53 at the Templeton Center.
The Blue Hose rallied in the fourth quarter to cut the Bulldog lead to just 10, but the effort was not enough. The Bulldogs outrebounded Presbyterian 44-25 and forced 22 Blue Hose turnovers for the game. UNC Asheville also had an advantage from the charity stripe, going 23-of-33 for the
afternoon.
Ja'Cia Cunningham powered PC for the third straight game on the offensive end of the floor. She led all scorers with 20 points on 6-of-14 shooting from the field and 7-of-10 shooting from the free throw line. This is the second time that Cunningham has scored at least 20 points this season and the seventh time overall in her career. She has scored in double figures in three straight games.
Krystal Haddock had a productive afternoon as well for the Blue Hose, scoring 15 points and grabbing 8 rebounds. Her 8 rebounds tie her career-high. Amani Williams tied her career-high on the glass as well, recording 7 rebounds. As a team, the Blue Hose forced 24 UNC Asheville turnovers. Three Blue Hose players logged two steals.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
The Bulldogs started fast, quickly jumping out to a 7-2 lead to start the game. Cunningham ended the run with her first points of the afternoon before Krystal Haddock completed a three-point play to get the Blue Hose back within four. The Blue Hose cut the lead to as little as three after Ore Ogunwolere scored off a steal and two made free throws by Cunningham. The Bulldogs grabbed an eight point lead in the final seconds of the quarter, but an Allie Sykes three cut the Bulldog lead to just 19-14 after the first quarter.
Second Quarter
UNC Asheville went back up eight in the opening minutes of the second period. Made layups by Amani Williams and Haddock got PC within three down 24-21 halfway through the quarter. The Bulldogs finished the half strong defensively, holding PC to just four points the remainder of the quarter. A made three pointer in the final seconds by UNC Asheville grew the lead to 10 up 35-25 going into the break.
Third Quarter
Cunningham scored the opening points of the second half for Presbyterian, but the Bulldogs responded to blow the game open. The lead quickly went back to double digits, where it would stay the rest of the game. A 9-0 run by UNC Asheville put the Bulldogs up 44-27. Two made threes by Sykes helped PC stay in it, but the Bulldogs still had the momentum. UNC Asheville finished the third with a three-point play to take a 55-35 lead going into the final period.
Fourth Quarter
The Blue Hose rallied in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Bulldogs 18-9 in the last 10 minutes of the game. UNC Asheville led by as many as 23 with five minutes left to play in the afternoon, but Cunningham caught fire for the Blue Hose offensively. Cunningham scored 10 points in the fourth quarter to help Presbyterian close the gap to as little as 10 with under a minute to play. Haddock and Mullock helped the Blue Hose mount the comeback offensively as well, but the Bulldogs hung on for a 64-53 victory in Clinton in Big South play. The Blue Hose held the Bulldogs to just 1-of-6 shooting from the field in the final period.
UP NEXT
The Blue Hose go on the road next Wednesday (Jan. 21), taking on Gardner-Webb at 7:00 p.m. on ESPN+.
