Mountaineers Turn Back Brevard

Mountaineers Turn Back Brevard

BEREA, Ky. – Adriana Williams scored a game-high 25 points while teammates Bri Lanham and Kristen Barnes contributed 13 and eight points, respectively, to lead Berea to a 77-50 win over Brevard in Saturday afternoon women's basketball action.

The Tornados, who slipped to 1-1 in the setback, were led offensively by the tandem of Annalee Bollinger and Ty'She Washington, who scored 16 and 13 points, respectively. Brevard also got a solid all-around performance from Deja Riddick, who contributed six points, three steals and three rebounds in 31 minutes of action.

The tandem of Washington and Krysta Davis led the way for Brevard on the glass, pulling down four rebounds each. Two of Davis' caroms came on the offensive end, which led all Tornado rebounders.

Berea picked up its second win in as many games by converting 25-of-50 (50%) from the field, highlighted by Williams' 9-for-13 performance from the floor. Williams was also 7-of-10 from the free throw line as she reached double figures for the second time this season.

Lanham was also efficient for the Mountaineers, hitting 4-of-8 from the floor, knocking down two 3-pointers, while finishing 3-of-3 at the free throw line. Barnes, who led the way for a Berea bench that amassed 50 points by hitting 3-of-7 from the field.

Berea capitalized on five field goals and nine free throws, including five from Williams, to distance itself from the Tornados in the third quarter. Williams, who came through with nine points in the frame, scored five inside the first two minutes as Berea established a 44-33 advantage.

Lanham added a timely trey, pushing the Mountaineer lead to 14, but Brevard countered with six points from Bollinger and a timely 3-pointer by Washington to make for a 49-42 contest. Berea amped up its defensive efforts, limiting Brevard to two points, while Kiley Barnard scored five of the next nine points to make for a 58-44 score through three quarters.

Carrying over the momentum from the close of the third quarter, Berea allowed just four points in the first 3:30 of the fourth while taking advantage of three points each from Williams and Lanham to build a 66-48 advantage. The Tornados managed just two points over the remainder of the contest, coming via a layup by Riddick, while Zacchea Small scored five of the final 11 Berea points down the stretch to complete the victory.

Brevard used its long-range shooting to its advantage in the first quarter as two 3-pointers from Bollinger and one off the hand Destiny Williams allowed the Tornados to take an 11-5 lead less than two minutes into the contest. Bollinger added a layup just over three minutes later to keep the margin at six, 13-7, but it was four points from Williams and two from Lanham that allowed the Mountaineers to close the final 3:39 of the quarter on a 9-2 run.

The Tornados regrouped to start the second quarter, knotting the game at 17-all following a pair of free throw conversions by Washington. Berea moved back in front by three, but Washington came through with a clutch 3-pointer to deadlock the game at 20.

Exchanging points over the next seven minutes of the contest, with neither team able to assume more than a two-point advantage, Williams scored five straight points for the Mountaineers to provide a 35-30 cushion. Washington answered with a 3-pointer at the 2:01 mark, but it was a Barnes jumper that allowed Berea to take a 37-33 lead into the intermission.

The Tornados return to the court at Emory & Henry on Tuesday, Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. Brevard then hosts Maryville on Nov. 29, also at 7 p.m.