HIGH POINT, N.C. – The Presbyterian College women's basketball team (3-19, 1-8 Big South) dropped a road matchup at High Point on Sunday afternoon (Feb. 1), suffering a 70-41 defeat to the Panthers at the Qubein Center.
The game was originally scheduled to be played on Saturday night but was moved to Sunday afternoon due to inclement weather.
The Blue Hose started fast defensively, but High Point shot 53.8 percent from the field in the second half to pull away. Aminata Tal led Presbyterian offensively for the game, scoring in double figures for the 10th time this season. On the road, she posted 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting. She also had success from the free throw line, making four of her six attempts. Ore Ogunwolere and Ja'Cia Cunningham added eight points apiece for the Blue Hose.
As a team, the Blue Hose forced 25 High Point turnovers. Ogunwolere and Tal both tied their career-highs in steals, posting six and five respectively. Krystal Haddock powered PC on the glass, grabbing 12 rebounds. She has now logged double-digit rebounds in each of her last three games.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
The first quarter was a defensive duel, as both teams struggled to get going offensively. High Point scored the first four points of the contest before Ja'cia Cunningham heated up for PC, tying the game back up at four. Aminata Tal scored her first points of the afternoon a couple of minutes later to get PC within one down 7-6. Samantha Mullock and Cunningham added baskets for Presbyterian to close the first quarter, but High Point was able to make two free throws at the end of the period to inch ahead 11-10. The Blue Hose limited the conference's highest scoring offense to just 16.7 percent (2-of-12) shooting from the field in the opening frame.
Second Quarter
Ore Ogunwolere scored four straight points in a matter of seconds to open the scoring for PC, putting the Blue Hose ahead 14-13 two minutes into the period. However, High Point responded with a 10-0 run to grab a nine-point advantage. Cunningham ended the run with a layup, but the Panthers followed with a three to take a double-digit lead. The Blue Hose made three more free throws the rest of the period but still trailed by double digits going into the break. High Point finished the quarter strong to go ahead 29-19 after 20 minutes of play.
Third Quarter
High Point jumped on the Blue Hose out of the gate to start the second half, quickly extending its lead. Amani Williams scored her first points of the afternoon, but the Panthers opened the half on a 10-2 run to separate. Velez and Tal followed with baskets to keep PC within striking distance. Later in the quarter, Allie Sykes poured in her 27th three-pointer of the year, helping the Blue Hose eventually close the gap to as little as 11. However, High Point had the answer once again, draining two threes in the final 90 seconds to nab a 48-31 lead going into the fourth.
Fourth Quarter
The Panthers carried their momentum into the final period, growing their lead to 20. Tal had the hot hand for the Blue Hose in the fourth quarter, scoring five of PC's first six points in the period. Ogunwolere added a layup and a free throw as well for Presbyterian later in the quarter. Yolanda Floyd finished the game with her first points of the afternoon on a jumper. High Point closed the game strong, shooting 61.5 percent as a team (8-of-13) in the final period. The Panthers ultimately pulled away to grab a 70-41 win in North Carolina.
UP NEXT
The Blue Hose return home to face USC Upstate for National Girls and Women in Sports Day on Wednesday (Feb. 4) at 6:00 p.m. on ESPN+.
