AUGUSTA, GA. – Augusta nearly 60-percent in the first half and limited the UNC Pembroke women's basketball team to just 28-percent shooting for the game as the Jaguars secured a 77-51 victory on Saturday evening inside the Christenberry Fieldhouse.
 
The setback marks the first season-opener loss for the Braves (0-1) since the 2014-15 season when the Black & Gold lost to Coastal Carolina in an exhibition contest. The victory for the Jaguars (1-1) helps improves their overall record against the Braves to 38-20. 




 

THE BASICS

SCORE: Augusta 77, UNC Pembroke 51 RECORDS:  UNC Pembroke 0-1, Augusta 1-1 LOCATION: Augusta, Ga. (Christenberry Fieldhouse)

HOW IT HAPPENED

1ST QUARTER

Augusta used a 10-0 run to take a 17-5 advantage halfway through the first period, before Alcenia Purnell drained a three to cut the deficit back to 18-8 with 4:29 remaining. The Jaguars scored six of the final 10 points in the period to head into the second quarter leading 24-10.

2ND QUARTER

The Braves suffered a cold shooting spell and connected on just three-of-nine attempts during the period. The hosts took a 43-15 lead off a made layup from November Morton with 2:25 remaining in the half. Alcenia Purnell and Tiara Williams teamed up for an 8-3 scoring surge, but Augusta held a 46-23 lead heading into the locker rooms.

3RD QUARTER

UNCP used back to back layups from Naomi Gilbert and Tiara Williams in the first minute of the half to trim the deficit back to 46-27. The hosts responded with a 14-4 scoring run for what would be the largest lead of the night, 60-31, off a made free throw from Michaela Lane with 2:48 left in the period.  The Black & Gold scored the final five points of the quarter but trailed 60-36 heading into the final stanza.

4TH QUARTER

UNC Pembroke added six points in the first 2-1/2 minutes to whittle the deficit back to 64-42, but the Jaguars shot better than 42-percent in the period to provide the final.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

+ Senior Tiara Williams scored a career-high 14 points. Williams also pulled down five rebounds. + Alcenia Purnell also scored in double-figures with 13 points. She also added five boards and one steal.

NOTABLES

+ The setback marks the first season-opener loss for the Black & Gold since the 2014-15 season. + The Braves are now 20-38 all-time against Augusta and just 4-27 when playing inside the Christenberry Fieldhouse.

UP NEXT

The Braves will be back in action on Dec. 11 when they travel to Conway, S.C., to face Coastal Carolina (1-0). Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. inside the HTC Center.

STAY CONNECTED

Follow UNCP Women's Basketball on Twitter and Instagram and "Like" UNCP Women's Basketball on Facebook.

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.