Boxscore
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa. – Head Coach Rachel Bullard was ecstatic that Saint Augustine's College won its CIAA women's basketball opener Thursday. She was even more pleased that it was a road win.
Allison Sikes (Sr./Richmond, Va.) tallied 18 points to lead five double-figure scorers in an 87-64 victory over Lincoln (Pa.)at Rivero Hall. Sikes added eight rebounds and six steals to give the Lady Falcons (7-4 overall) a win in their first game of 2011.
“It is absolutely important to win the first CIAA game,” Bullard said. “Anytime you win on the road it is huge.”
Keyona Bryant (Jr./Springdale, Md.) added 16 points, Umeka Benson (Fr./Charlotte, N.C.) chipped in 15 points and Brittany Torain (Jr./Warner Robins, Ga.) and Scharlawn Hubbard (Soph./Akron, Ohio) both scored 10 points. The foursome, along with Sikes, was why the Lady Falcons shot 53 percent overall including 59 percent in the second half. The Lady Falcons made 5-of-8 three pointers, including 2-for-2 each for Torain and Crystal McCaffity (Sr./Havelock, N.C.), for 63 percent for the game.
The Lady Lions (1-7 overall) had no answer for the inside play of the Lady Falcons. The trio of Sikes, Bryant and Benson combined for 49 points and 24 rebounds with each player collecting eight. Hubbard added five rebounds off the bench.
“Allison and Keyona were huge and Mimi (Umeka) stepped up,” Hubbard said. “We also got big minutes from Scharlawn. Three post players scored in double figures which was huge.”
Sikes did damage most of her damage on the perimeter where she helped the Lady Falcons force 33 turnovers which led to 36 points. Hubbard praised her two-time All-CIAA swing player for her all-around play, which included three assists.
“Allison brought energy tonight and hit the big shots,” Bullard said. “I was most impressed with the six steals which led to layups.”
The Lady Falcons scored the game's first nine points and led 42-29 at halftime. The Lions managed to pull within six points early in the second half, but the Lady Falcons, led by 11 second-half points from Sikes, regrouped and pulled away.
The Lady Falcons will attempt to extend their two-game win streak at home Saturday against Saint Paul's College. The contest starts at 2 p.m. inside Emery Gymnasium.
