Box Score RALEIGH, N.C. – Preseason All-CIAA guard Regime McCombs (Jr./Greenville, SC) scored 18 points to lead a balanced attack as Saint Augustine's University went on a late run to defeat the University of Mount Olive 89-80 in a non-conference women's basketball contest at Emery Gymnasium.
The Lady Falcons enter the holiday break with a 6-3 record and a four-game winning streak. Mount Olive dropped to 3-7 overall.
"We feel really good about the last four games," Lady Falcons' Head Coach Rachel Bullard said. "Yes, because we won, but more importantly, because we are beginning to come together. Our ladies have been playing vey selfless and it shows on the court. We are going to enjoy our families and the holiday but then it's back to business for us."
Five players scored in double figures for the Lady Falcons including two who produced double-doubles in points and rebounds. Forward Terri Jacobs (Jr./McDonough, GA) finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds and guard Jeanne-Marie Wilson (Jr./Temple Hills, MD) totaled 14 points, 10 rebounds and three steals. Guards LaKiya Rouse (Jr./Greensboro, NC) and Porscha Walton (Jr./Chesterfield, VA) both scored 11 points and Walton added three steals as the Lady Falcons' starters combined to score 68 of the team's 89 points.
All five starters played a role in the Lady Falcons' game-winning surge. The Lady Falcons trailed 65-64 with 7:42 left but outscored the Trojans 25-15 the remainder of the game. They were perfect from the free throw line in the final two minutes, going 10 of 10 to ice the contest. Walton was 6 of 6 from the charity stripe during that stretch.
The balanced scoring of the Lady Falcons offset 25 points and 14 rebounds from forward Ty Wallace of Mount Olive. Guard Shylia Blue added 15 points and Tommarah Harris chipped in 14 points. The Trojans outshot the Lady Falcons 47 percent to 40 percent but the Lady Falcons held a decisive edge at the free throw line, making 25 of 34 free throws for 74 percent. The Trojans were 8 of 18 for 44 percent.
The Lady Falcons, led by Jacobs and Wilson in addition to seven rebounds each from Rouse and forward Kaleisha Moore (So./Kinston, NC), also dominated the glass by a 57-41 margin including a 22-11 advantage in offensive rebounds. Free throws and rebounding were the difference for the Lady Falcons in a fast-paced and entertaining game between two teams who played at a high tempo.
Forward Briana Arrington (Jr./Richmond, VA) came off the bench to score six points for the Lady Falcons in nine minutes. She was 3 of 3 from the floor.
Wilson scored 10 points and guard Raneka Dunaway (Sr./Richmond, VA) scored all eight of her points in the first half for the Lady Falcons, who built a 46-38 halftime lead. The Lady Falcons jumped out to a 7-0 lead and led by as much as 12 points in the first half.
The Lady Falcons were up the first 10 minutes of the second half, but the Trojans took their first lead at 61-60 at the 9:25 mark. The Trojans led for the final time at 65-64 before the Lady Falcons went on their final run.
The Lady Falcons return to action January 3, 2015 against Elizabeth City State University in Elizabeth City, N.C., at 2 p.m. This will be the CIAA opener for the Lady Falcons.
