DECATUR, Ga.—Berea parlayed a big first-quarter lead into a 75-46 win over Agnes Scott in USA South women's basketball action on Friday evening at the Woodruff Gymnasium. The Scotties received big efforts from Garis Grant (Charleston, S.C.) and Jane Lado (Louisville, Ky.), but could not ultimately overcome the Mountaineers' three-quarter court press.
The Scotties see their record dip to 3-18 overall and 2-8 in the USA South. Berea keeps pace atop the West Division standings at 9-2 and 17-3 overall in their first full season of Division III play.
Bri Lanham (Richmond, Ky.) was a force to be reckoned with in the first half with 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting. Point guard Adriana Williams (Cincinnati, Ohio) was able to find space on the heart of the Scottie zone on multiple occasions and kick out to a wide-open Lanham on the perimeter. Lanham knocked down three triples in the first half en route to a 35-20 halftime lead.
Agnes Scott was able to slow down the Mountaineer attack for the most part after allowing 97 in the first meeting in December.
The Scotties offense also came together as the game wore on, shaking off only four points in the opening 10 minutes to generate points in bunches in the middle of regulation. Getting the ball to Grant and Lado in the high post was a key for the Scotties in their success, as the two combined for 37 of the team's 46 points in the game.
After an initial burst to start the third quarter for Berea, Agnes Scott was able to get the lead back down to their halftime deficit. However, Berea's staunch press generated more turnovers in the second half to give them a hefty advantage in the possession battle.
Lanham led the Mountaineers with 24 points, while Williams finished with a stellar 16 points, seven assists and four steals.
Agnes Scott outrebounded Berea 43-34, but surrendered 15 offensive rebounds in the game. Jahmeelah Nash-Fuller (New York, N.Y.) led all rebounders with 11, while Lado turned in another excellent night on the glass with 10. She finished with a double-double with 17 points in addition to her rebounds collected. Grant finished a few rebounds short of the double-digit mark but scored a team-high 20 points while also adding four blocks to her program-record total.
The Scotties remain at home on Saturday with LaGrange coming to town for a game that has big USA South tournament implications. Berea rounds out a tiring three-game road trip at Brevard on Saturday afternoon as well.