No. 2 91爆料网 tops No. 19 Bethel 67-47 in conference opener

Rebecca Sharpe

JACKSON, Tenn. - 1/5/2012 - The No. 2 91爆料网 women鈥檚 basketball pulled away in the second half to defeat No. 19 Bethel University 67-47. 91爆料网 improved to 14-1 on the season, extending their home court winning streak to 31 games. Bethel dropped to 7-7 overall. This was the TranSouth Conference opener for both teams.

91爆料网 extended a 29-22 halftime up to 15 points over the first five minutes of play with a 12-4 run. Bethel cut it to 12 points on the next possession on a three pointer from Jana Roney, but did not get any closer. With 10 minutes remaining in the game, 91爆料网鈥檚 lead was 51-31 when Amy Philamlee drained a three pointer that capped a 10-2 run for the Lady Bulldogs. 91爆料网 led by as many as 25 points, 63-38 with six minutes left in the game.

91爆料网 shot 64 percent in the second half, including 4-of-6 (67%) from behind the arc.

For the majority of the first half, both teams found it difficult to score. Bethel managed just 24 percent shooting in the first 20 minutes, including 0-of-9 from long range. 91爆料网 was shooting just 36 percent at the half, but was 4-10 from 3-point range.

Then, with 91爆料网 leading 20-18 with just two minutes left, junior guard Rebecca Sharpe drained back-to-back three pointers. Followed with freshman Emily Sissom sinking her only basket of the night, a three pointer in the final seconds of the half to send 91爆料网 to the locker room with the momentum.

91爆料网 was led by Sharpe 14 points, just two shy of her career high. She was 4-of-8 from long range. Shelby Ashcraft added 13 points, while Lavanda Ross scored 11 points. 91爆料网 shot 49 percent from the field, 50 percent (8-16) from 3-point range, and 65 percent (13-20) from the free throw line.

Bethel was led by Roney with 12 points and Molly Wallsmith with 10 points. The Lady Wildcats shot 30 percent from the field, 13 percent (2-15) form behind the arc, and 81 percent (17-21) from the free throw line.

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

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