Balanced Attack Leads HPU Women’s Basketball To 82-49 Win Over Greensboro

• Junior Kaylah Keys led the Panthers with 15 points – all coming in the first quarter.
• Senior Aariel Allen chipped in with a career-high 10 points and seven rebounds.
• High Point makes its first road trip of the season on Sunday when it heads to Broughton High School in Raleigh, N.C. to play N.C. State.

HIGH POINT, N.C. – The High Point University women’s basketball team received solid performances from its upperclassmen in an 82-49 triumph over Greensboro College in the Millis Center on Friday night.

Junior Kaylah Keys came out hot with 15 points in the first quarter to spark the Panthers (1-0) to a big lead, which they never relinquished. The Pride (0-0) is a Division III team and did not count Friday night’s contest against their record.

“I’m glad to get the first win under our belt,” head coach DeUnna Hendrix said. “It’s the first time eight of our kids have played a college game in front of a crowd. Now we get a quick turnaround and play at N.C. State.”

Joining Keys in double-digits were freshman Haleigh Hatfield (11 points), senior Aariel Allen (10) and freshman Lindsey Edwards (10). Offensively, the Purple & White shot 47 percent (34-of-72) from the floor and racked up 15 assists.

Allen paced the squad with seven rebounds as HPU outrebounded Greensboro College 44-38. On the defensive side of the ball, the Panthers held the Pride to just 33 percent shooting at forced 24 turnovers while committing just 13 of their own. Freshmen Emma Bockrath and Edwards tied for the team lead with three steals apiece while sophomore Kat Harris dished out a team-best thee assists.

Behind Keys’ 15 early points, HPU built a 30-14 lead in the first quarter. However, the Pride battled the Panthers to a 15-15 tie in the second period to send the game to the break at 45-29.

The Pride came out of the break with a 7-3 run to cut High Point’s lead to 12 (48-36). But freshman Kyrie’ Chandler hit three shots in the midst of an 8-0 run to push the advantage out to 20 points (56-36).

From there, the Panthers cruised to an 82-49 win after posting 20-11 edge in the final quarter.

The Purple & White will hit the road on Sunday to take on N.C. State at Broughton High School at 2:00 p.m.