Hickory, N.C. - Anderson University women's basketball (16-9, 12-7 SAC) dominated the first half of play holding on to down South Atlantic Conference foe Lenoir-Rhyne (10-14, 8-12 SAC), 63-58, on Wednesday evening at Shuford Arena.
"Huge road win for us tonight, emphasized head coach
Jonathon Barbaree. "I'm so proud of our effort down the stretch. We talked about how this was a "Growth" win from all the close games that we played earlier in this season. Winning on the road is never easy in this league. The teams are too good and well coached."
"There are no secrets or magic plays the second time you play.," noted Barbaree. "You just have to execute, defend and make free throws.Tonight even though shots didn't fall in the second half, we got the one stop we needed to hold on and hit our free throws. That is what matters the most."
"Diamond was big once again for us tonight scoring at some clutch times," added Barbaree. "Rose had a massive rebound put back in her first game back."
Freshman
Izzy Proffitt made good on two late free throws to seal the deal after being subbed in as a 84.4 percent free throw shooter. Proffitt was fouled following a huge offensive rebound, tip-in and defensive rebound sequence by freshman
Rose Gravel.
Anderson led by as many as 18 points in the early portion of the third quarter before cooling off. Lenoir-Rhyne outscored the Black and Gold, 35-24, in the second half of action. The Trojans made stops and buckets at the end to claim the huge road win.
AU was led by senior
Diamond McDowell's 12th double-double of the season scoring a game-high 18 points and 10 rebounds. Senior
Zamiya Passmore netted 13 points while grabbing nine rebounds and dishing out seven assists. Junior
Ashlyn Sheridan contributed seven points and five rebounds with three other Trojans chipping in six points apiece (
Zaynah Preston, Gravel and Proffitt).
Lenoir-Rhyne was led by Blaikley Crooks dropping in 16 points. Emily Harmon and Alexandra Merceron rounded out the double-digit scoring with 14 and 11, respectively.
Anderson returns to the friendly confines of the Abney Athletic Center on Saturday to host SAC opponent Mars Hill. Saturday's contest is the annual Play4Kay game. Tip-off is slated for 2 pm.
