January 5, 2008

Boxscore

LAURINBURG, N.C.—Six Lady Knights scored eight or more points in the team’s best shooting performance of the season as host St. Andrews Presbyterian College defeated Conference Carolinas rival Lees-McRae College 82-65 on Saturday afternoon in Harris Court.

The Lady Knights converted on 31-of-65 (47.7%) shots to snap a four-game skid and improve to 2-7 on the season and 1-2 in league play. Junior Brittany Roberson (Salisbury, N.C.) scored a game-high 23 points but the Lady Bobcats fell to 3-7 and 1-2.

“Today’s win was good for the morale of the team,” said St. Andrews fourth year head coach David Johnson. “In our preparation for our first conference game of the New Year we tried to keep it as simple as possible which made it easier for the team to perform.”

The Knights set season-best marks in several categories en route to the 17-point victory including a new high of 82 points in a game. Along with shooting the ball better, SAPC also set new benchmark on the season with 20 assists while committing season-lows of 11 turnovers and 11 fouls.

“It was our best performance of the season so far with everybody contributing,” expressed Johnson. “Everyone was knocking down shots and we got a big lift from our senior post players which helped relax our guards, making it a lot easier on them.”

The Knights once again controlled the glass out-rebounding the Bobcats 46-35 including 20 offensive boards that turned into 15 extra points. “Rebounding continues to be our bright spot but the difference today was we converted our offensive rebounds into points,” added Johnson.

Trailing 5-4 early in the game, St. Andrews went on a 19-3 run to take control of the contest with a 23-7 advantage. Lees-McRae pulled to within 11 (39-28) at halftime but the Lady Knights kept a double-digit lead for the whole second half cruising to the victory. SAPC’s built it lead to as many as 20 in the second half at 60-40.

The senior forward duo of Danielle Norman (Bronx, N.Y.) and April Johnson (McColl, S.C.) each registered a double-double for the Knights. Norman added 11 rebounds to her team-high 18 points while Johnson had 14 rebounds and 12 points. Johnson’s game-high 14 boards is a new career high.

With senior starting guard Erika Thompson (Kalamazoo, Mich.) and forward Jackie Cromer (Greensboro, N.C.) out due to injury, St. Andrews was looking for someone else to provide a scoring punch and in her first collegiate start freshman Jacquelyn Adcock (Damascus, Md.) provided the boost. Adcock, who had 12 points in eight games so far entering today’s game, scored 16 points for the Knights on 6-of-10 shooting.

Junior point guard Desiree Jones (Tulsa, Okla.) was the fourth Knight to reach double-digits with 14 points. Along with Adcock, freshman classmate Kristin Zipkin (Canton, Ga.) also set a new season-high in scoring with nine points. Senior Jessy Perkins (Goldsboro, N.C.) chipped in with eight points.

Jones and Zipkin each dished out a season-best seven assists apiece while Jones also made a game-high three steals.

Roberson just missed a double-double for the visitors pulling down eight rebounds with her 23 points. Senior Stephanie Mullinax (Etowah, Tenn.) was the only other Bobcat in double-digits with 13 points.

St. Andrews will play its third game in five days when they travel to Conference Carolinas foe Belmont Abbey College on Monday at 5:30 p.m.