HIGH POINT, N.C. — Sophomore forward
Anissa Rivera and senior guard
Necole Hope both had season-high scoring performances for the visiting North Carolina Central University women's basketball team in an 87-65 loss at High Point University Monday evening.
The Eagles led by as many as 12 points in the first quarter before the Panthers started pouring in buckets for the final three periods to rally for their first win.
High Point shot 53-percent from the field in each of the two middle quarters and then made 14 of its 16 free throw attempts (87.5%) in the fourth quarter to complete the 22-point triumph. NCCU was held to just 26.7-percent shooting over the final 30 minutes.
The two squads finish the day with matching 1-2 overall records on the early season.
Rivera led the Eagles with 19 points, eight rebounds and five blocks. Hope scored 17 points for a second straight contest to match her season-best point total while adding six rebounds.
The Eagles controlled play in the first quarter, making four of their seven attempts from behind the arc for 57.1-percent precision. Rivera launched a trio of treys and made four early blocks to help NCCU quickly double up High Point by a dozen (24-12) and then still lead by nine, 24-15, at the end of the period. The Panthers also committed nine of their 18 turnovers in the first 10 minutes, which turned into 13 extra points for the Eagles.
High Point took over in the second quarter. The Panthers made over half of their shots in the period and held NCCU to just three made field goals (18.8%). HPU outscored the visitors 30-13 in the second stanza, including a 12-0 run to take the lead for good.
The Panthers led by eight points (45-37) at halftime, before doubling up that edge to 16 points (66-50) by the end of the third quarter.
High Point did not have a free throw attempt in the first quarter, but took advantage of plenty of opportunities from the charity stripe afterwards. The Panthers made 30 of its 40 tries from the charity stripe over the last three quarters while outscoring the Eagles by that many points, 72-41, over that span.
All five HPU starters scored in double digits, including a game-high 23 points from junior Jordan Edwards. She also led the Panthers with six assists and three steals. Sophomore Jenson Edwards added her first double-double of the season with 18 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.
NC Central next concludes its four-game, season-opening road swing when the Eagles travel to Appalachian State University on Monday, Dec. 14 at 6 p.m.
