ROME, Ga. – Annalee Bollinger scored a game-high 23 points and handed out five assists while leading four Brevard players in double figures as the Tornados posted a 71-52 victory at Berry in its season opener.
Bollinger, who finished 6-of-14 from the floor and 9-of-12 at the free throw line, was joined in double digits scoring by the trio of Ty'She Washington (11 points), Whitney DeMoss (10) and Destiny Williams (10). DeMoss also made her presence felt on defense as she pulled down 11 rebounds, while hitting a perfect 5-of-5 from the floor, to complete a double-double performance.
The Tornados (1-0), who hit at least 45 percent from the floor in each quarter, finished the contest 25-of-51 (49%) while converting 15-of-23 (65.2%) at the free throw line. Brevard also owned a 47-34 edge on the glass, pulling down 37 defensive rebounds, led by the combination of Williams (eight), DeMoss (seven) and Bollinger (six).
Leading 44-39 through three quarters, Brevard converted 12-of-16 free throws (75%) and capitalized on 7-of-12 (58.3%) shooting from the floor in the final frame to distance itself from the Vikings. The fourth quarter offense was highlighted by the duo of Washington and Bollinger, who were responsible for seven and six points, respectively.
DeMoss kick started the Tornado offense into overdrive early in the fourth quarter with a pair of layups as the lead reached double figures for the first time. Taryn Ledford added a layup, following a steal by Williams, to stretch to provide Brevard with a 52-40 advantage with 5:38 remaining.
Five Brevard free throws, including three from Williams and two by Bollinger, along with a jumper from Krysta Davis capped off a 15-4 Tornado run that spanned the opening 6:26 of the fourth quarter. The Vikings put together brief run of their own, highlighted by 3-pointers from Sydney Tanguilig and Eveline Parsons, as they trimmed the lead to 61-50 with 2:30 remaining.
The Vikings' attempt to get back in the contest was short lived as seven points down the stretch by Washington, which included a key 3-pointer following a pass from Williams, helped Brevard secure the 19-point win.
The Tornados were unable to distance themselves from Berry in the third quarter as both teams scored 13 points. Brevard, hitting 5-of-11 (45.5%) from the field, struggled from 3-point range (1-4) while Berry countered with five free throw conversions in eight attempts to offset a 3-of-11 (27.3%) shooting performance.
Williams was the primary source of offense in the third quarter for Brevard, scoring five points on 2-for-4 shooting, while grabbing three rebounds. The tandem of Bollinger and Washington added four points each, marking the only Tornados to score in the frame. Bollinger also climbed the glass for three rebounds.
Brevard amped up its defensive pressure in the second quarter, again holding the Vikings to 5-of-17 (29.4%) shooting from the floor that included a 0-for-6 outing from 3-point range. Deja Riddick blocked two Berry shots, while Williams and Washington both forced a steal, to help give the Tornados a five-point advantage at the intermission.
Offensively, Bollinger received support from the combination of Riddick (five points), DeMoss (four) and Ledford (three). That group was instrumental in helping the Tornados finish 8-of-17 (47.1%) from the floor and 3-of-5 (60%) from beyond the arc.
Seven players scored at least one point in the opening quarter, including Capri Frazier who finished with three, as Berry assume a 13-12 lead after one frame. Bollinger answered with eight points for the Tornados, hitting 3-of-5 from the field, as Brevard capped off first half by hitting 5-for-11 (45.5%) as a unit.
Brevard now heads to Berea for a 2 p.m. contest on Saturday, Nov. 18. For more information on the Tornado women's basketball team check out www.bctornados.com