MARS HILL, NC - The Lions' women's basketball team defeated Limestone
College 66-55 Tuesday night in Stanford Arena. MHC improved to 3-1 on
the season while the Saints fell to 2-5 on the year.
Ariel Okunowo (Decatur, GA) hit a 3-pointer with 17:08 left in the opening
period and the Lions led the remainder of the contest. MHC went on to
take a 15-point lead into the locker room at the intermission behind
solid play by Okunowo and Jessica Blanford (Concord, NC). Okunowo and
Blanford scored 10 and eight points in the half, respectively, to account
for half of the Lions points in the frame.
The Lions took their largest lead in the contest of 18 points (58-40)
at the 6:44 mark when Allison Schafer (Advance, NC) hit a shot in the
lane. Limestone then went on a 17-6 run to trim the deficit to just
seven points (62-55) with 2:56 left in regulation after Monica Adams
hit a pair of free throws. That was as close as the Saints could get.
MHC quickly extended their advantage to 11 points after successful trips
to the foul line by Schafer, Okunowo and Shamia Terry (Greenville, SC).
Blanford led the Lions with 16 points and six rebounds while Okunowo
added 13 points and also tallied six boards. Schafer rounded out the
double-digit scorers for MHC with 10 points. Shannon Lee (Four Oaks,
NC) led the Lions in rebounding with nine.
Monica Adams led Limestone with 17 rebounds and 10 points. Essence Greer
followed with 15 points and four rebounds. Limestone struggled shooting
the ball as they converted on only 29.2% (21-72) of their field goal
attempts. The teams combined for 53 turnovers in the contest. MHC edged
Limestone in rebounding, 46-44.
MHC will return to action on December 8 when they host North Greenville
University. Game time is set for 2 p.m. in Stanford Arena. The Lady
Saints will return to Timken Gym on Saturday night for a Conference
Carolinas match up with Belmont Abby. The teams will take the court
at 5:30 pm.
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