January 25, 2010

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GAFFNEY, S.C.—Senior center Kayla Hay (Hanover, Ind.) tallied a game and career high 26 points for St. Andrews Presbyterian College but host Limestone College shot 45.6-percent from the field en route to a 72-62 Conference Carolinas women’s basketball victory Monday evening in the Timken Center.

Sophomore Megan Lee (pictured) scored all 10 of her points in the second half keeping St. Andrews within striking distance of Limestone College Monday.

Freshman Maria Young scored a team-high 21 points including 11 consecutive points during a key run by the Saints as Limestone (8-8 Overall, 6-5 Conf.) picked up its second straight win with the 10-point victory.

Hay made 9-of-18 (50.0%) field goals and 8-of-10 (80.0%) free throws to complete her 26-point performance for the Lady Knights (1-13, 0-11).

“Kayla [Hay] did an outstanding job on both ends of the floor for us,” said SAPC head coach Jessica Vanco. “Limestone could not stop her down low. Her presence changed their game plan which opened up the outside for Jaquese [Smith] and Megan [Lee]. Kayla is one of the best post players in the conference and proved it tonight.”

Young scored the final 11 points of the first half to break a late 23-23 tie to give the hosts a 34-23 lead at halftime. Young broke the fourth and final tie of the game with an old-fashion three-point play before netting four consecutive jumpers from the left baseline in the final two and a half minutes. Young had 13 points at the intermission on 6-of-10 accuracy.

Limestone built an early 17-10 lead before senior Jaquese Smith (Raleigh, N.C.) capped an 8-0 Knights run with an impressive four-point play. Smith drilled a three-pointer from the right key as the shot clock was expiring while being fouled to deadlock the score before making the ensuing free throw to give SAPC its only lead of the contest at 18-17.

Hay kept the Knights within striking distance at halftime scoring half of her 26 points before the break.

Limestone maintained a double digit lead throughout the second half with sophomore guard Lauren Pace (Suwanee, Ga.) helping the Saints cause scoring all 10 of her points in the final frame.

St. Andrews hung around by shooting 50.0% in second half and taking advantage of 21 free throw attempts -- making 13 -- at a 61.9% clip. Smith scored 11 of her 15 points in the final period, while sinking a trio of three-pointers.

Knights’ sophomore Megan Lee (Chillicothe, Ohio) also reached double figures in the scorebook with 10 points. Classmate Brittany Roberts (Concord, N.C.) followed with seven points.

“I am very proud of our extraordinary effort and heart that these ladies are playing with now, coupled with outstanding performances from my senior leadership, and most impressively Kayla Hay,” commented Vanco. “This is now a team of hope, and despite injury and loss of several talented teammates, we now understand that even in the face of so many setbacks, including a limited bench, we have truly played as a team these past two games. If we continue to show up with intensity and determination we will win these close games.”

SAPC held a 45-40 edge on the glass with Roberts pulling down game and career high 12 rebounds.

Limestone finished the game making 31-of-68 (45.6%) shot attempts compared to 21-of-60 (35.0%) by St. Andrews. Young had three of the Saints 12 steals as the Knights committed more turnovers, 15-11.

Freshman Ashley Robinson (Whittier, N.C.) scored 12 points for the Saints on 6-of-11 precision. Senior Whitney Todd (New Albany, Ind.) chipped in with nine points and a team-best seven rebounds.

St. Andrews concludes a three-game road swing at Conference Carolinas foe Mount Olive College on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. Limestone caps a three-game home stand against league rival Queens University of Charlotte at the same time Thursday.