Boxscore

RALEIGH, N.C. – Saint Augustine's College unveiled its 2011-12 women's basketball team at Emery Gymnasium Wednesday (Nov. 16), and the fans liked what they saw.
 
The Lady Falcons (3-0 overall) won their home opener in an 81-34 romp over Barber-Scotia College before a capacity crowd. The 47-point victory margin was the largest for the Lady Falcons since they beat Allen by 53 points in a 107-54 win on Feb. 21, 2006. It was the largest victory margin under second-year Head Coach Rachel Bullard.

Senior center Keyona Bryant (Springdale, Md.) was the top scorer with 16 points, but everyone contributed in the rout. Each player saw action, and all but two players scored.
 
Senior guard Brittany Torain (Warner Robins, Ga.) added 11 points while sophomore guard Ebony Spencer (Chesapeake, Va.), freshman guard Denika Harden (Greensboro, N.C.) and sophomore center Jasmine Shabazz (Buffalo, N.Y.) each scored eight points. Sophomore center Umeka Benson, a preseason All-CIAA pick, scored six points and added eight rebounds while freshman forward Briana Arrington (Richmond, Va.) hauled in a game-high nine rebounds.
 
The outcome was never in doubt after the Lady Falcons flew to a 31-2 lead with seven minutes in the first half. The only question at that point was how big the final margin would be.
 
The Lady Falcons pressured the ball from the outset, and the Lady Sabers (2-5) were noticeably affected by it. Over half (43) of the Lady Falcons' points resulted from turnovers.
 
Many of the Lady Falcons' 21 steals were simply a matter of the Lady Sabers' guards getting stripped after they crossed midcourt. Benson, freshman guard Morgan Mitchell (Atlanta, Ga.) and Torain had three steals apiece.
 
In addition to their 37 turnovers, the Lady Sabers shot 23 percent from the floor and were outrebounded 56-36. The Lady Falcons cooled off at 41 percent for the game after making 53 percent of their shots in the first half to open a 48-12 halftime lead.
 
The Lady Falcons left a lasting impression on the home fans, which won't see the team again until Dec. 17 against Virginia-Lynchburg. The Lady Falcons will be away from home for several games including a trip to Honolulu, Hawaii for the Oahu Classic. The Lady Falcons meet Northwest Missouri on Nov. 24 at 9 a.m., and Chaminade on Nov. 25 at 3 p.m.