HICKORY – The UNC Pembroke women's basketball team shot nearly 57 percent from the field in the fourth quarter and forced 13 turnovers to key a 66-56 victory over Lenoir-Rhyne on Saturday evening inside Shuford Memorial Gym.

The triumph snapped a four-game series losing streak for the Braves (3-1) who picked up their first win over Lenoir-Rhyne since Nov. 17, 2001. The Bears (1-3) fell to 1-2 against Peach Belt Conference teams.



 

THE BASICS

Score: UNC Pembroke 65, Lenoir-Rhyne 56 Records: UNC Pembroke 3-1; Lenoir-Rhyne 1-3 Location: Hickory, N.C. (Shuford Memorial Gym)

HOW IT HAPPENED

1ST QUARTER

A layup from Diamond Fedrick knotted the score at 2 apiece just three minutes into play. Lenoir-Rhyne would score the next 11 points before the Braves scored another basket, however. The Bears held a 13-4 advantage heading into the second quarter.

2ND QUARTER

The cold shooting continued into the second period for UNCP as Lenoir-Rhyne stretched its lead out to 16-6 with 8:12 left in the half. Alcenia Purnell stopped the bleeding with a jumper three minutes into the quarter, but the Bears had stretched their advantage out to 26-12 with just less four minutes to play before the break. A 9-0 run by the Black & Gold, however, would cut its deficit back to just five points, 26-21, heading into the locker rooms.

3RD QUARTER

The Black & Gold took its first lead of the night, 33-32, on a free throw from Diamond Fedrick with just less five minutes to play in the quarter. UNCP took advantage of a 10-5 scoring surge and scored the last basket of the quarter to lug a six-point lead, 43-37, into the final stanza.

4TH QUARTER

Lenoir-Rhyne cut its deficit back to 54-51 at the 4:24 mark, but the next five points belonged to the Braves thanks to consecutive baskets from Jillian Ebron, including a running jumper that pushed the lead back to 59-51 with three minutes to play. The Bears got to within five points, 61-56, on a free throw from Karlie Bearden with 59 seconds left, but the Braves made their last four attempts from the charity stripe to seal the outcome.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

+ Aliyah Farmer led the Braves with 13 points and just missed a double-double with nine rebounds. + Tee Graham scored in double-digits with 11 points as well, but also added five assists and five rebounds.

NOTABLES

+ Saturday's victory snapped a four-game series losing streak for the Braves whose last victory over Lenoir-Rhyne came in 2001. + The 3-1 start for the Black & Gold marks the best start for the program since the 2016-17 season.

UP NEXT

The Braves will continue their road trip when they travel to nearby Wingate (2-1) on Wednesday. Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. inside Cuddy Arena.

STAY CONNECTED

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JOIN THE BRAVES CLUB

Fans can help support the UNC Pembroke Women's Basketball program by joining the Braves Club. To find out more information about the Braves Club, visit UNCPBraves.com/BravesClub or email braves.club@uncp.edu.