CLINTON, S.C. – The Presbyterian College women's basketball team (2-14, 0-3 Big South) suffered a 76-43 loss to High Point on Wednesday evening (Jan. 7) at the Templeton Center.
The Panthers controlled the game on both ends, shooting 48.9 percent from the floor on the night and holding PC to just 30 percent shooting. The Panthers also had an advantage from the free throw line, making 25 of their 30 total attempts.
Ja'Cia Cunningham led the Blue Hose offensively with 13 points. She has scored in double figures seven times this season and 26 times in her collegiate career. She shot a perfect 4-of-4 from the charity stripe as well for the game. Ore Ogunwolere and Morgan Boyd each pitched in seven points for the Presbyterian offense. Both also recorded a blocked shot.
The Blue Hose outrebounded High Point for the game 33-30. Boyd led PC on the glass, grabbing five rebounds. Ogunwolere and Krystal Haddock added four boards against the Panthers.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
High Point grabbed the lead with a three in the game's opening possession, but Daniella Velez responded with a three of her own to open the scoring for Presbyterian. A layup from Krystal Haddock knotted the game up minutes later at 7 before Morgan Boyd scored off an offensive rebound to give the Blue Hose a 9-7 lead halfway through the opening period. However, High Point responded right after with a 9-0 run to take a 16-9 lead and grab control of the game. Late in the quarter, Ore Ogunwolere and Ja'Cia Cunningham scored their first points of the contest, but the Panthers closed strong to take a 23-15 lead after 10 minutes of play.
Second Quarter
The Panthers extended their lead to double digits to start the quarter before Ogunwolere scored off a turnover to cut the Panther advantage to 26-17. Two free throws by Cunningham a couple of minutes later got PC back within 9, but another High Point run allowed the Panthers to separate from the Blue Hose. Later in the quarter, Amani Williams scored her first points of the night on a layup. In the closing seconds of the half, Cunningham made a jumper before one final layup from the Panthers gave High Point a 40-24 advantage at the break.
Third Quarter
High Point scored the first five points coming out of the half before Cunningham drilled her first three of the game to get the scoring started for Presbyterian in the second half. The Panthers continued to extend their lead in the following minutes, going up by as many as 22 in the third quarter. Morgan Boyd got going offensively in the third quarter for Presbyterian, making a jump shot and then later completing a three-point play off an offensive rebound in the final minutes of the period. However, High Point continued to maintain its big lead, building a 54-34 advantage over the Blue Hose going into the fourth quarter.
Fourth Quarter
Allie Sykes got into the scoring column for the Blue Hose in the fourth quarter, making her first three of the game and 23rd overall of her season. Aminata Tal added her first bucket of the game shortly after on a layup. Later in the final period, Tal poured in her second basket of the game. Cunningham made two free throws with a minute to play to finish the scoring for the Blue Hose, but the Panthers cruised in the end to a 76-43 Big South victory in Clinton.
UP NEXT
The Blue Hose have the weekend off before traveling to take on USC Upstate next Wednesday night (Jan. 14) at 7:00 p.m. on ESPN+.
