PEMBROKE – The UNC Pembroke women's basketball team held visiting Chowan to just 20 percent shooting in the final quarter and used a 10-0 run midway through the period to swing the momentum for good and secure a 55-51 non-conference victory over the Hawks at Lumbee Guaranty Bank Court.
 
The victory gave the Black & Gold its best start since the 2016-17 campaign, while also keeping the Braves perfect through a pair of home outings this season. It was the second-straight setback for Chowan (1-5).



 

THE BASICS

Score: UNC Pembroke 55, Chowan 51 Records: UNC Pembroke 5-2; Chowan 1-5 Location: Pembroke, N.C. (Lumbee Guaranty Bank Court)

HOW IT HAPPENED

1ST QUARTER

UNC Pembroke jumped out to an early 5-0 lead just two minutes into play off of a Diamond Fedrick layup, but a 12-2 run from Chowan put them on top 12-7 halfway through the quarter. The Hawks shot 50 percent in the opening period and led UNCP 19-13 going into the second stanza.

2ND QUARTER

Chowan took their largest lead of the afternoon, 24-13, on a 3-pointer from Demetria Bland just 50 seconds into play. UNCP cut its deficit back to just three points, 32-29 off a fast break layup from Tee Graham with 30 ticks left before half, but Bland scored the final basket of the half at the buzzer to give her team a 34-29 lead heading into the locker rooms.

3RD QUARTER

UNCP scored the first six points of the second half and eventually took a 35-34 lead off a Melanie Horne trey with seven minutes on the clock. Chowan regained the lead, 38-35, off a Demetria Bland three-pointer, which was just one of two baskets by the visitors in the quarter. The Black & Gold limited the Hawks to just 2-of-20 shooting from the field and trailed the visitors, 41-38, heading into the final stanza.

4TH QUARTER

An old-fashioned 3-point play from Tee Graham cut UNCP's deficit back to 45-44 with five minutes left to play. The hosts took the lead for good on a fastbreak layup from Aliyah Farmer with 4-1/2 minutes remaining. Chowan's Demetria Bland nailed a three with 38 ticks remaining, but the Braves held on to the ball to secure the victory.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

+ Senior ShaNiya Lester logged a double-double with 11 points while also pulling down 10 rebounds. + Deja McCain made her first appearance of the season, grabbing six rebounds and adding nine points. She also recorded a steal and two assists. + Melanie Horne and Diamond Fedrick each added eight points apiece.

NOTABLES

+ Chowan maintained the lead in Saturday's contest for 32 minutes. + The Black & Gold picked up 16 points from their bench. + UNCP outscored the Hawks, 26-12, inside the paint. + The Braves improve to 4-1 all-time against Chowan at Lumbee Guaranty Bank Court.

UP NEXT

The Braves will travel to Conway, S.C. on Thursday to take on Coastal Carolina (4-1). Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. inside the HTC Center.

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.