Joseph Marvin: Assistant Sports Information Director
BREVARD, N.C. – The Brevard College Tornados Women's Basketball team (5-1, 1-0 USAS) defeated Wesleyan College (0-6, 0-1 USAS) in convincing fashion in the USA South Conference opener for both teams. The Tornados secured their fourth-straight home victory and third overall victory in a row with an 84-30 final score on Saturday afternoon at Boshamer Gymnasium.
BC benefitted from multiple offensive runs, a well-balanced offensive attack, and a disruptive defense that forced 25 Wesleyan turnovers in the contest.
Destiny Williams and Annalee Bollinger led the way for the Tornados offensive attack, both scoring in double figures. Williams tallied 16 points on an efficient 7-of-10 shooting, while Bollinger added 15 points on 6-of-13 from the field, including three 3-pointers.
Brevard's reserves saw extended action, as the BC bench scored 41 points total. JaTasha Hollinger scored nine points and grabbed six rebounds, while Breana Ware added eight points on 3-of-5 shooting. BC freshman Emily Fisher added nine points, all coming from long range (3-of-6 3P).
Freshman center Avery Lockwood was a force on the boards, grabbing a game-high 15 rebounds, nine of which were offensive boards. Lockwood's 15 rebounds were both a season and career high for the native of Foxworth, Miss., and tie former BC Tornado Madison Lenox for fifth in BC NCAA-era history for single-game rebounds.
"We came in today and took care of business," commented Head Coach Donald Hudson after the victory. "It's always good to start off 1-0 in league play."
"Our second unit came in and did what they were supposed to do," added Coach Hudson about his reserves. "I was very pleased with their effort and it is always good to get some of the younger players some experience playing in game action."
Brevard's 54-point margin of victory on Saturday afternoon set a new NCAA-era mark for largest margin of victory, supplanting the previous mark set on November 9 at Toccoa Falls College.
BC opened up on a quick 13-2 scoring run, holding a 17-6 lead after the first quarter. Bollinger knocked in two early 3-pointers to lead Brevard in the first stanza.
The Tornados continued to control the pace of play through the second quarter, using runs of 16-4 and 17-3 to take a dominant 47-13 lead into intermission.
BC opened the third period on a game-high 14-0 run to extend its lead to 61-13.
Fisher knocked in three 3-pointers in the fourth period to close out Brevard's 84-30 triumph.
Wesleyan was led by Diedre Maxwell, who scored a team-high 10 points, including 6-of-10 from the charity stripe. The Wolves were shorthanded in the contest, as four players played the entire 40 minutes of the contest.
The Tornados shot 33-of-78 from the field (42.3%), which included 13-of-49 from deep. Brevard outrebounded Wesleyan by a 55-34 margin. The Tornados dished out a season-high 22 assists and scored 31 fast break points. Brevard asserted itself in the paint well, outscoring Wesleyan 32-14 down low.
The Tornados now turn their attention to USA South Conference opponent Maryville (1-5, 1-1 USAS). The Scots will visit the Boshamer Gymnasium on Wednesday, December 5 at 6 p.m. for a key early-season USA South contest.
To follow along with all the latest news and updates surrounding Brevard College Athletics, please follow the Tornados on Twitter and Instagram @bctornados, or like Brevard College Athletics on Facebook.
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