MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. – The UNCP women's basketball team suffered its third-straight loss on Saturday afternoon as the Lady Braves fell to region opponent Tusculum, 64-56, after being outshot and outrebounded by the Pioneers in the final day of the Stair South Classic Tournament hosted by Georgia College in the Centennial Center.

Junior Courtney Bolton registered a team-high in scoring for the eighth consecutive time as she tallied 16 points for UNCP (4-7), while senior DeDe Cotten collected 10 points. Freshman Jazmine Kemp led the defense with seven rebounds, while senior Domonique Washington grabbed six and tallied a team-best four assists. 

Despite being outrebounded (41-29) and only shooting 36.4 percent from the field compared to 40.0 percent by Tusculum (7-3), the Lady Braves committed only 14 turnovers compared to 18 by the Pioneers. Within the first half, the lead changed six times and the score with tied on five different occasions with neither team holding more than a three-point advantage over the other. 

Each team had 10 points apiece in the paint and seven points off turnovers, but UNCP collected seven points on second chance shots while the Pioneers grabbed four points on fast breaks to bring the score at the half to 27-26 in favor of Tusculum.

Junior Anya Knower put the Lady Braves ahead by one to start the second half, but the Black and Gold quickly fell behind as the Pioneers used a 20-4 run to take the lead by 18 points with 11:06 left in the game. The Lady Braves tried to regroup, but were unable to overcome the deficit.

Bolton was the only Lady Brave to represent UNCP on the Stair South Classic All-Tournament Team and was joined by two members of the Limestone team and one each from the Tusculum and Georgia College teams. Bolton averaged 16.0 points and 5.0 rebounds in the tournament as she shot 57.1 percent from the field, 60.0 percent from the three-point line and 66.7 percent from the charity stripe.

Alishia Mosley led Tusculum with a game-high 23 points to help the Pioneers capture the win over UNCP. Mosley also led the team in blocks with three and collected a trio of steals. Staci Hicks tallied 13 points, while Linda Aughburns totaled nine points and eight rebounds.

UNCP returns in the New Year to the English E. Jones Center on Thursday for a Peach Belt Conference matchup against Clayton State (12-1, 2-0 PBC). Tip off is slated for 5:30 p.m. with the men's game following approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of the women's game. 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.

Stair South Holiday Classic All-Tournament Team
MVP - Tia Williams, Limestone
Maria Young, Limestone
Courtney Bolton, UNC Pembroke
Kendal Baxter, Tusculum
Shanteona Keys, Georgia College