PEMBROKE – Lander pulled down 51 rebounds and posted a 42-20 advantage on points in the paint to fuel a 67-56 victory over the UNC Pembroke women's basketball team on Wednesday evening at Lumbee Guaranty Bank Court.
 
It was the sixth-straight loss for the Braves (6-9, 1-6 PBC) who have now dropped their last three contests in Pembroke as well. The Bearcats (11-3, 6-0 PBC) have captured their last seven contests, including six road wins.

 

THE BASICS

Score: Lander 67, UNC Pembroke 56 Records: UNC Pembroke 6-9, 1-6 PBC; Lander 11-3, 6-0 PBC Location: Pembroke, N.C. (Lumbee Guaranty Bank Court)

HOW IT HAPPENED

1ST QUARTER

Lander jumped out to an early 9-0 lead before Alcenia Purnell sank two free throws midway through the period. The hosts trimmed their deficit back to eight points, 15-7, on a jumper from Aniah McManus with 2-1/2 minutes left, but the Bearcats took a 19-11 advantage into the second quarter.

2ND QUARTER

The Black & Gold shot better than 46 percent in the second quarter and knotted the score at 23 points apiece on a jumper from Deja McCain with three minutes left before the break. The hosts took their first lead of the night, 26-25, on a trey from Alcenia Purnell with a minute left, and Melanie Horne's jumper at the buzzer sent the teams to the locker rooms tied at 28. UNCP limited Lander to just 3-for-17 shooting from the field during the period.

3RD QUARTER

Lander stretched its lead back out to nine points, 39-30, on a layup from Zamiya Passmore at the 6:27 mark. UNC Pembroke turned in just 4-for-18 shooting in the stanza, and trailed by 11 points, 49-38, heading into the final quarter.

4TH QUARTER

The Bearcats took their largest lead of the night on a fast break layup from Quin'De'Ja Hamilton with 4:56 left to play. The hosts came pulled to within nine points, 63-54, on a running layup from Courtney Smith with 1:45 on the clock, but Lander scored four of the final six points in the contest to provide the final.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

+ Melanie Horne scored a team-high 14 points on 6-of-14 shooting, while also logging seven rebounds and three steals. + Courtney Smith scored a career-high 12 points and added six rebounds and three assists. + Alcenia Purnell added 11 points on 3-for-6 shooting from behind the arc.

NOTABLES

+ Lander registered a 42-20 advantage on points in the paint, and scored 23 second chance points off as many offensive rebounds. + The Braves limited Lander to just a 4-for-26 clip from the 3-point line, including a 2-for-11 clip in the second half. + The Bearcats have now won the last three meetings in Pembroke, and lead the all-time series, 37-20.

UP NEXT

The Braves will be back in action at home on Saturday against Augusta (7-7, 4-2 PBC) for Alumni Weekend at Lumbee Guaranty Bank Court. Tipoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.

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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.