BREVARD, N.C. – The Brevard College women's basketball team (13-7, 10-4 USA South) fell 77-67 to NC Wesleyan University (14-7, 11-3 USAS) on Friday evening at the Boshamer Gymnasium.
Three Tornados reached 12 points in the game, as Olivia Miller and Makenna Parkins each scored 12 points with Miller dishing a team-best five assists out. Naliyah Boyce led all bench performers with 12 points to go alongside seven rebounds, while Chyna Pouncey matched her rebounding effort with seven boards of her own. Makayla Street added nine points, three steals, and four rebounds with Christena Rhone totaling eight points and a team-best two 3-pointers made.
NC Wesleyan had four players reach double figures, with Nadia Simmons leading the way with 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting. Kayrisma Harrison scored 13 points and grabbed 11 rebounds while Nyesha Best and Deonna Adams each scored 10 points apiece. Kaniya Cromartie hauled down 13 rebounds to lead NC Wesleyan's strong rebounding night.
Each side shot over 40% from the field with NC Wesleyan hitting four 3-pointers to Brevard's two. The biggest edge was in the rebounding department where the Battling Bishops hauled down 46 boards including a 19-11 edge on the offensive glass. BC was able to turn 19 NCWU turnovers into 16 points and outscore the visitors 44-36 in the painted area, but the efforts proved all for naught.
The first quarter was tight as the visitors opened a slim 12-10 lead at the 5:33 mark. NC Wesleyan scored five out of the last six points to hold a six-point edge after one period of play, 17-11.
Brevard battled back in the second quarter, taking a one-point lead on three separate occasions. However, the Battling Bishops ended the stanza doubling BC's score 18-9 to take a 43-35 edge at the halftime intermission.
The visitors outscored Brevard 20-10 in the third period to hold a game-best 63-45 lead after three quarters of play. The Tornados were able to briefly cut the contest to single digits in the fourth stanza, but the deficit proved too much as Brevard was bested 77-67 by NC Wesleyan as the two USA South foes split their season series with each other.
Brevard has a quick turnaround as the Tornados take on Meredith College on Saturday at 2 p.m. at The Bosh. The Tornados will honor senior guard Journey Tyler pre-game as part of the Senior Day festivities.
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-BC-