ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The Presbyterian Blue Hose (3-24, Big South: 1-13) had three double-figure scorers, led by Ja'Cia Cunningham's 19 points, but the Blue Hose lost to the UNC Asheville Bulldogs (11-17, Big South: 6-9), 76-58, on the road on Saturday afternoon.
Cunningham also grabbed six rebounds in the game. Daniella Velez scored 16 points while connecting on three three-point field goals. Krystal Haddock rounded out Presbyterian's double-figure scorers with 13 points.
HOW IT HAPPENED
FIRST QUARTER – UNC Asheville scored the game's first four points. Ja'Cia Cunningham got the Blue Hose on the board with a layup. Cunningham scored PC's first four points after layups by Amani Williams and Krystal Haddock; the Blue Hose had cut UNC Asheville's lead to 10-8 with three minutes left in the quarter. UNC Asheville scored four of the quarter's final six points, taking a 14-10 lead.
SECOND QUARTER – Behind a basket and a free throw from Cunningham, the Blue Hose had cut the Bulldogs' lead to 14-13 with 22 seconds gone on the clock. UNC Asheville outscored the Blue Hose 9-1, taking a 22-15 lead. PC scored four straight points behind a jumper from Cunningham and a layup from Daniella Velez. UNC Asheville held a 31-24 lead with under two minutes on the clock. Presbyterian closed the half, scoring the final four points, cutting UNC Asheville's lead to 31-28 at the half.
THIRD QUARTER – Behind a basket from Haddock and a three-point play by Ore Ogunwolere, Presbyterian scored five of the half's first seven points, tying the score at 33 with 8:11 left in the quarter. UNC Asheville scored 16 of the next 21 points, taking a 49-36 lead with 2:53 remaining on the clock. UNC Asheville held a 58-43 lead after three quarters.
FOURTH QUARTER – After five straight points from Velez, the Blue Host cut UNC Asheville's lead to 63-50 with 7;51 on the clock. With six minutes on the clock, Haddock scored inside, getting the Blue Hose within 11, 66-55; however, that would be as close as PC would get to UNC Asheville the rest of the game.
NOTES
- Daniella Velez poured in a career-high 16 points on 6-of-12 shooting from the field. She tied her career-high as well from three-point land, making three triples.
- Velez also blocked two shots for PC, tying her career-high.
- Ja'Cia Cunningham scored 19 against the Bulldogs. This is the 14th time this season that she has scored in double figures.
- Krystal Haddock set a new career-high with four assists.
- Amani Williams led the Blue Hose on the glass, grabbing eight rebounds.
NEXT GAME
Presbyterian travels to Radford for its final road game, Wednesday, February 25.
