BREVARD, N.C. – Senior Kelsie Rhyne, competing in the final game of her collegiate career, finished with a career-high 21 points while classmates Jade Napier and Whitney DeMoss tallied 16 points and 18 rebounds, respectively, to help led Brevard to a 79-68 victory over Pfeiffer in women's basketball action at Boshamer Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon.
Rhyne, who had previously set her career-high (18 points) last night against the Falcons, wrapped up Senior Festivities by hitting 4-of-9 from the field, 2-of-4 from 3-point range and 11-of-14 at the free throw line en route to her game-high 21 points. Napier capped off her final performance as a Tornado by hitting 4-of-10 from the floor and 6-of-10 from the free throw line.
Joining the senior tandem in double figures was Ty'She Washington (13 points) and Destiny Williams (12) as Brevard hit 22-of-56 (39.3%) from the floor and 29-of-45 (64.4%) at the charity stripe. DeMoss anchored the post with 18 rebounds (13 defensive) to provide Brevard with a 49-33 edge in total rebounds. The Tornados, who finished 12-13 on the season, eclipsed the most wins in a single-season in its brief NCAA history, topping the previous mark of nine set in 2009-10.
In similar fashion to the third, Williams immediately gave Brevard a double-digit lead in the fourth as the Tornados lead ballooned to 60-46 following a series of free throws off technical fouls by Pfeiffer. The Falcons regained their composure and with pressure defense eventually drew to within three, 64-61, following a 15-4 run.
Williams and DeMoss got the Tornado offense back on track with a pair of jumpers, making for a 70-63 contest. Five points from Napier and two from DeMoss and Washington down the stretch proved to be the difference as Brevard completed the wire-to-wire 11-point victory.
Nine points from Dajea Scott and seven off the hand of Sydni Bickford helped Pfeiffer shave four points off the Brevard lead in the third frame. Trailing by 36-21, following a layup by Williams early in the frame, Pfeiffer used a 16-4 run that took 4:22 off the clock as it pulled within three.
Three points from Williams provided the Tornados breathing room, but Scott answered with three of her own to make for a 43-40 contest. Five points from Washington and three from Deja Riddick allowed Brevard to take a 52-43 lead into the final frame.
A strong start to the second quarter, due in large part to a series of 3-pointers from Napier and Rhyne, allowed Brevard to stretch its lead to 27-15. Four straight Pfeiffer points briefly trimmed the margin eight, but Rhyne came through with the final seven points of the half to provide the Tornados with a 34-21 lead at the intermission.
Five points from Napier and four from Rhyne allowed Brevard to establish an 11-2 lead by the 4:36 mark of the first quarter. Washington streaked past the Falcon defense to stretch the lead to double figures, 15-4, but Pfeiffer answered with a 10-3 run that included a pair of 3-pointers inside the final 10 seconds of the half to pull within four.
For more information on Brevard women's basketball check out www.bctornados.com.
