BREVARD, N.C. – The Brevard College women’s basketball team (5-5, 5-5 USAS) earned its fourth straight victory with a 59-50 win over USA South Conference rival Huntingdon College (5-8, 5-8 USAS) on Friday night at the Boshamer Gymnasium. The victory came on Senior Night as six seniors – Victoria Green, Meiya Mills, Bailey Ray, Deja Riddick, Shakirah Thompson and Destiny Williams – were honored in pre-game ceremonies.
Riddick, a senior from Norfolk, Virginia, led the Tornados with 14 points and nine rebounds. Williams scored 12 points, pulled down seven rebounds and dished out three assists. Freshman Makenna Parkins came off the bench to score 11 points to go along with eight rebounds, including a game-high four offensive boards. Thompson and freshman Calli Wells added eight points.
Brevard never trailed in the contest and led by as many as 14 points, holding a double-digit advantage for most of the game. BC ran out to a 14-9 lead at the end of the first quarter, then led 30-20 at the intermission. The Tornados extended their lead even further in the third period to take a 44-31 lead into the final period. Huntingdon cut the margin to six points in the final two minutes of the contest, however the Tornados were able to secure the win down the stretch on three made free throws by Williams and two makes from Riddick.
Brevard was excellent from the free throw line, shooting 20-of-23 (87.0%) as a team, including a perfect 9-of-9 in the first half. The Tornados shot 33% from the field, making three 3-pointers, all of which came in the opening half. The Hawks struggled from the field, shooting a field-goal percentage of 28% on the evening.
The six seniors were honored in a pre-game ceremony with the five active senior players – Green, Ray, Riddick, Thompson and Riddick - starting the contest for the opening tipoff. Brevard opened the game with a fury as Riddick made an “and-one” opportunity and Williams drilled a three-pointer from downtown to give BC an early 6-0 lead. The Tornados never looked back from there, maintaining their lead to the final buzzer.
Brevard and Huntingdon will face off again for the regular-season finale on Saturday at 2 p.m. ET at the Boshamer Gymnasium. The game will will be live streamed at youtube.com/
In addition, a special edition of Tornado Talk featuring the BC women's basketball senior class will air on Tuesday, March 2 at 12 p.m. on the Brevard College Tornado Athletics Facebook and YouTube channels.
In an abundance of caution due to the COVID-19 pandemic, spectators will not be permitted to attend USA South Conference men's and women's basketball contests this season. Members of participating teams, game officials, and other essential personnel relevant to event operations will be the only individuals permitted into the venue for 2020-21 USA South basketball games. The policy is in accordance with the USA South Conference's policy announced on January 7, 2021.
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-BC-
