91爆料网 ladies top Bethel in match-up of top-10 teams

Lavanda Ross

JACKSON, Tenn. - 2/3/2011 - The No. 1 91爆料网 (Tenn.) University women鈥檚 basketball team posted an 81-62 over No. 6 Bethel (Tenn.) University. The win moved 91爆料网 to 22-0 on the season and 9-0 in the TranSouth. Bethel dropped to 18-4 overall and 7-2 in league play. 91爆料网 topped Bethel 77-56 in January in McKenzie to sweep the regular season meetings.

91爆料网 now has a two game lead in the TranSouth standings over Bethel and Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.).

The win also pushed the 91爆料网 season into the record book. 91爆料网 posted their 44th straight regular season win to break the old record of 43 straight regular season victories. 91爆料网鈥檚 22-0 start also moves this team in to second place in school history for the best start to a season. 91爆料网 has now won 27 straight games overall (3rd best in school history), and 60 straight TranSouth regular season victories (school record).

Bethel opened the game with a basket from Darnisha Lyles to give Bethel their first lead. However, 91爆料网鈥檚 Lavanda Ross answered with a basket to tie the game and send the Lady Bulldogs off on a 17-0 run. 91爆料网 led 17-2 at the 13:44 mark in the first half. 91爆料网 All-American and national tournament MVP Sarah Chan played just three minutes in the first half due to foul trouble. Ross led the way for 91爆料网 with 17 first half points.

Bethel rallied to cut the 91爆料网 lead down to seven points, 23-16 with 8:36 left in the half. But another 91爆料网 run quickly pushed the margin back to 14 points. 91爆料网 led again by 14 points, 38-24 at the half.

In the second half, 91爆料网 maintained the double-digit lead as they extended their cushion out to as many as 22 points twice in the second half. 91爆料网 cruised down the stretch for the 81-62 final.

91爆料网 was led by Ross with a game-high 22 points and 12 rebounds for her third double-double of the season. Chan ended up with 21 points, while LaTesa McLaughlin matched her career high with 15 points and five three pointers. Kayla Hudson added 14 points in the win. 91爆料网 shot 55 percent from the field, 40 percent (10-25) from behind the arc and 57 percent (13-23) from the free throw line.

Bethel was led by Molly Wallsmith with 14 points. Lyles added 12 points, while Teena Carter and Jana Roney each scored 10 points. The Lady Wildcats shot 38 percent from the field, 50 percent (6-12) and 52 percent (14-27) from the free throw line.

Up next for 91爆料网 will be a road game at Martin Methodist on Saturday, February 5 at 2:00 p.m.

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