PEMBROKE – The UNCP women's basketball team suffered its first Peach Belt Conference loss of the season due to more than 20 turnovers resulting in the 65-52 loss to Lander on Saturday afternoon in the English E. Jones Center.

Lander (4-2, 2-0 PBC) collected 18 steals, and scored 21 points on UNCP's (3-3, 0-1) turnovers alone. The Lady Braves delivered the opening points on a jumper by junior Courtney Bolton. The Lady Braves outrebounded Lander 44-35, but was outshot as Lander shot 37.7 percent from the field, and UNCP shot 32.1 percent. 

Bolton led the UNCP offense with 18 points, and defense with nine rebounds and two steals. Freshman Jazmine Kemp totaled eight points and eight rebounds. The Black and Gold registered its highest free throw shooting this season as the team was 17-of-19 from the charity stripe. Bolton knocked down 8-of-9 from the free throw line, and was 5-of-8 from the field. Kemp, Domonique Washington and Haley Magee shot 100 percent from the free throw line.

The Black and Gold tied the game up for the third time going into the half on the 15-footer by Victoria McVicker, but slowly fell as Lander continued its full-court press. The press forced numerous turnovers in the backcourt, and as the second half prolonged the Lady Bearcats extended their lead to 15 points at the 4:24 mark.

"I think the first difference in the game with their half-court trap, and I didn't think we attacked it very well," said UNCP head coach John Haskins. "We made some turnovers against the trap and we were not aggressive enough against it, but when we did break it, we didn't attack the basket. The second difference was our inability to shoot shots."

Lander's offense was led by Ciara Lyons with 12 points, while Janyce Ealey tallied a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Mukia Myrick totaled six assists, while Kaylyn Small had two blocks and Small, Myrick and Jasmine Judge each had three steals.

UNCP will take the next week off before facing Chowan (2-5) on December 14 in the English E. Jones Center with tipoff scheduled for 5 p.m. Admission prices are $5 for adults and $2 for children 18 years of age and younger. UNCP students are admitted free with a valid Braves Card.

To watch the full game click HERE.