Women’s Basketball holds off Brevard, 74-72

BREVARD, N.C. - Kristen Metcalf and Taylor Deal each scored a game-high 18 points as Mars Hill held off a second-half surge from Brevard for a 74-72 victory. The Lions, which have won 22 of the previous 23 games in the series, improve to 10-2 overall, 3-1 in the South Atlantic Conference. The Tornados fall to 5-9 overall, 1-3 in the league.

Jessica Jones posted a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds for Mars Hill. Brittini Young added 14 points. Deal, the reigning SAC Player of the Week, also had seven rebounds.

Micheala Watkins tallied a team-high 16 points for Brevard. Anna Schlobohm followed up with 15 points. Holli Flippo had 11 points.

With the game tied at 15 in the first half, Brevard went on a 7-0 run and grabbed its largest lead of the game. A basket by Lindsey Brendle made the score 22-15 with 5:54 left in the first period.

Mars Hill answered by outscoring Brevard 17-5 to close the first half. A layup by Metcalf and trey from Watkins closed out the first period with the Lions leading at halftime, 32-28.

Mars Hill dominated the first 12:54 of the second half and opened up a 20-point cushion. Back-to-back layups from Jones gave the Lions the upper hand, 66-46.

The Tornados responded with a 21-2 spurt. Amanda Whitaker had 10 of her 12 points in the game during the stretch, and a layup by Schlobohm cut the deficit to one point, 68-67, with 1:58 left in the game.

However, Brevard would get no closer. Mars Hill hit six free throws down the stretch to seal the win.

The Tornados spent much of the game in foul trouble. Four players, including three starters, fouled out of the game for Brevard.

The Lions outrebounded the Tornados 48-35, including an 18-7 mark on the offensive glass.

Mars Hill will travel to Lincoln Memorial next Wednesday. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.