PEMBROKE – The UNC Pembroke women's basketball squad put its recent late-game struggles in the past Saturday at Lumbee Guaranty Bank Court, outscoring Peach Belt Conference foe Young Harris 15-8 over the final 5:30 to secure the 69-62 victory.

The Braves (9-12, 4-10 PBC) snapped a five-game skid with the win, while Young Harris (9-12, 4-10 PBC) has now dropped two straight conference contests. 

When Mary Robinson hit two free throws with 5:45 on the clock in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 54, the Braves found themselves in all too familiar of a situation. The Black & Gold's last four games have all been close in the final minutes, before ending in losses by a combined 12 points.

UNCP turned the tables Saturday, hitting big shots down the stretch, the biggest coming with 46 seconds to play. After the Mountain Lions pulled to within one at 63-62, Jonissa Monley answered with a basket to extend the lead to three and the Braves didn't look back.

Jasmine Huntley swiped the ball from Young Harris on the ensuing possession and Avery Locklear knocked down two free throws to give the Braves a 67-62 advantage with just 23 ticks on the clock. Huntley came up with another steal on the next Mountain Lion possession and hit two free throws of her own to wrap up the win. 

Monley had a team-high 17 for UNCP on 6-of-12 shooting and grabbed seven rebounds. Airico Williamsracked up her first double-double of the season on 12 points and 12 boards, while Robinson added 10 points and six rebounds.

Young Harris relied heavily on Keta Robinette and Meredith Tarver, who poured in 19 and 15 points, respectively, while Jenny Vernet added nine points and nine boards. 

After shooting just 17 percent (2-of-12) in the first quarter, the Braves knocked down 42 percent (19-of-45) in the final three quarters. The Mountain Lions outshot UNCP 41 percent to 37 percent over 40 minutes, but the Black & Gold had a 40-33 rebounding advantage. Twelve of those boards for UNCP were on the offensive end, leading to 14 second-chance points and the Braves turned 17 Young Harris turnovers into 17 points.

The Braves are back in action Wednesday, traveling to Greenwood, South Carolina for a 5:30 p.m. PBC East battle with Lander (17-6, 11-3). The Bearcats got the best of UNCP December 5 in Pembroke, a 72-39 victory.