SAVANNAH, Ga. | Machala Raymonville scored a career high 33 points - 19 in the second half - as Armstrong State University used a quick start at the beginning of the second half en route to an 86-72 Peach Belt Conference women's basketball victory over Young Harris College Wednesday (Jan. 4) evening at Alumni Arena.
The Pirates improved to 6-6 overall and 2-1 in the Peach Belt, while the Mountain Lions, who hadn't played since Dec. 19, evened their record at 5-5 and 1-2. Young Harris remains on the road for a 1:30 p.m. league encounter Saturday (Jan. 7) against Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida.
The game was one of streaks.
Armstrong State took a 27-14 lead after the first quarter and extended it to as many as 14 points (34-20) after Kasey Drayton hit one 10 three-pointers by the Pirates with 6:59 remaining in the first half.
Young Harris got back in the game as they held Armstrong State without a point over the next five minutes. The Mountain Lions reeled off 15 unanswered points to take a 35-34 lead when Briana Bell nailed a three-pointer with 2:19 remaining.
The teams traded the lead back and forth the remainder of the half before Armstrong State took a 39-38 lead into the locker room after Mercedes Jenkins converted an old-fashioned three-point play with four seconds left.
The Pirates took control of the game as they scored 15 of the first 17 points in the third quarter to reopen a 14-point lead (54-40) after Raymonville hit a three-pointer with 3:46 left. Raymonville hit another three-pointer later in the quarter to give Armstrong State its largest lead - 16 points (62-46).
Young Harris again rallied again midway through the fourth quarter using a 7-1 run to get within seven points (77-70) after another three-pointer by Bell with 2:19 to go; however, Armstrong State sealed the game by hitting six free throws in the final minute.
"I think it's obvious giving up 86 points isn't going to win many conference games," said Young Harris head coach Matt Stearsman. "I thought we played with energy for one stretch in the first half and one stretch in the second half. It's tough to win road games.I told the team before the game defense and rebounding travels, and we gave up 86 points and got outrebounded. Disappointed that we didn't guard better tonight, but we made a great run in the second quarter and I'm proud of them for that."
Young Harris had four players finish in double figures, led by Bell's 18 points. Bria Ratliff and Meredith Tarver each contributed 15 points while Jenny Vernet added a double double with 10 points and a game-high 13 points. Tarver added seven rebounds, while Bell had six more.
Jenkins added 14 points and nine assists for the Pirates.
