CLINTON, S.C. – The Presbyterian College women's basketball team (3-23, 1-12 Big South) suffered a 72-59 defeat to Winthrop on Wednesday night (Feb. 18) at the Templeton Center.

The Blue Hose trailed for most of the game but were able to cut the Winthrop lead to just three in the second half. However, the Eagles regained the momentum in the fourth quarter to claim the win. As a team, the Eagles shot 52.8 percent from the field and forced 27 PC turnovers.

Four Blue Hose players scored in double figures to lead the team offensively. Aminata Tal led the way with 15 points, going 8-of-10 at the free throw line. Daniella Velez tied career-highs in points (11) and made three-pointers (three). She went 4-of-8 from the field. 

The Blue Hose dominated the glass in the contest, outrebounding Winthrop 41-23. Krystal Haddock and Amani Williams both recorded double-doubles for PC. Haddock poured in 11 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, securing her third double-double of the season. Williams had a career night, tying her career-high in points (10) and setting a new career-high in rebounds (10) to log the first double-double of her collegiate career. This is the first time two PC players have posted a double-double since Dec. 31, 2024 against Newberry.

HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
Winthrop scored the game's first three points of the evening before Daniella Velez buried her first three to get the PC offense going. The Eagles grabbed a 9-5 lead halfway through the quarter, but made jumpers from Velez and Aminata Tal pulled PC within two. Velez continued her hot hand in the closing minutes, draining her second three of the game. Yolanda Floyd made a basket right before the buzzer sounded, giving the Blue Hose a 14-13 lead after one quarter.

Second Quarter
The Eagles jumped on PC out of the gate in the second, embarking on a 6-0 run. Tal drilled her first three-pointer of the night, but Winthrop maintained their advantage. The Eagles responded to separate from the Blue Hose the remainder of the half, dominating the rest of the second quarter. Winthrop finished the half on a 16-3 run to grab a 35-22 advantage going into the break.

Third Quarter
The Blue Hose began to chip into the Winthrop lead in the second half. Ore Ogunwolere got going offensively to keep PC in it, kickstarting an 11-0 run to cut the lead to just three down 42-39. Amani Williams, Velez, and Tal contributed to the Presbyterian run, getting the Blue Hose back in the game. However, the Eagles answered, growing the lead to eight going into the fourth quarter. In the third, the Blue Hose went 7-of-15 from the field as a team but trailed 51-43 heading into the fourth.

Fourth Quarter
Winthrop went back up double digits to begin the final quarter. Presbyterian cut the lead to eight a couple of times but was unable to get closer. The Eagles grabbed a 64-52 lead with under four minutes to play and held on, finishing the game off with a 72-59 Big South victory in Clinton. The Eagles went 9-of-11 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter to secure the win.

UP NEXT
The Blue Hose hit the road this weekend, taking on UNC Asheville on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. on ESPN+.