Georgia Southern Used a 16-0 Run to Start and Defeated High Point 80-69

High Point, N.C. - Georgia Southern used a 16-0 run at the start to down High Point 80-69 Wednesday night at the Millis Center in High Point, N.C. Ashley Melson (Newnan, Ga.) scored seven of her 9 first half points during that stretch. The senior guard tied her career high of 24 points set last season at Davidson. J'Lisia Ogburn (Dublin, Ga.) and Ashley Rivens (Charlotte, N.C.) joined Melson in double-figures.

“Melson had an outstanding game. It was one of her best of the year,” said head coach Rusty Cram. “She was poised throughout the entire night and was under control all night.”

Georgia Southern improves to 5-2 (1-0) with the win, while the Panthers fall to 2-5 on the year.

“We had some good rhythm,” said Cram. “Our defense looked spectacular at times out there.”

The Lady Eagles extended their first half lead to 20-4 at the second media timeout, but High Point cut the lead to 10 points with 9:56 remaining. The Panthers got the lead under 10 points with 46 seconds remaining in the first half, but were unable to hold it as Georgia Southern went into the locker room leading 42-30 after freshman Brittney Nelson (Rochester, Mich.) drained a 3-pointer with five seconds remaining.

Freshman Krista Tate (Atlanta, Ga.) set a new career high in the first half and finished the day with seven points.

Georgia Southern started the second half with an 8-2 run, before Jurica Hargraves drained a 3-pointer to get within 15 at the 16:15 mark. The Lady Eagles led by as many as 25 with 12:31 remaining, but the Panthers went on a 16-2 run late in the second half and got the lead under double-figures with 20 seconds left.

“They do not quit, and they play hard especially at home,” said Cram.

Carolyn Whitney (Duluth, Ga.) nailed two free throws to give Georgia Southern an 80-69 win. The junior guard scored eight points and set a new career high in assists with 10. The last time a Georgia Southern player recorded 10+ assists was in 2003, when Tiffany Lanier dished out 11.

Jessica Geiger (Stone Mountain, Ga.) set a new career high in rebounds for the second time this season with 12.

Shamia Brown led High Point with 20 points and was in double-figures in the first half.

The Lady Eagles will return to conference play Saturday at Elon. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. in Alumni Gym.

Category: Women's Basketball

Published on Wednesday, 03 December 2008 00:04