Brown leads HPU WBB Panthers to 76-60 victory over Bulldogs

• Freshman Camryn Brown paced the Panthers with 16 points and was joined in double figures by sophomore Emma Bockrath (14) and senior Kayla Keys (13).
• The HPU defense held the Bulldogs, a team that normally averages 39.9 per game, to only 26 rebounds.
• The Purple & White knocked down 28-of-56 shots (50 percent) while holding UNC Asheville to a 40 percent outing.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The High Point University women’s basketball team defeated the reigning Big South Champions, UNC Asheville Bulldogs, 79-60, in Kimmel Arena on Saturday afternoon. Freshman Camryn Brown recorded an impressive 16-point, 4-assist outing while going 10-of-10 from the line to guide the team to a crucial Big South victory.

“Coming into this game, our focus was on knowing the scouting report and remaining active on defense,” head coach DeUnna Hendrix said. “I’m really proud of our posts. I have challenged them a lot and especially challenged them today to do their job on their post players, as well as, remaining aware of where their three-point shooters were in the zone.”

The HPU bigs responded to the challenge by outscoring the Bulldogs 32-28 in the paint and earning a +9 margin on the glass (35-26).

“I’m also impressed by our bench players today. For instance, Bre Davis, who went into the game for five minutes, recorded four points while doing everything we asked her to do defensively,” Hendrix continued. “Camryn and Lindsey also had solid performances on both ends of the floor. Going into Radford on Tuesday, I hope that today’s performance allows the girls to realize the capabilities they have as a team and be the team that I know they can be.”

Behind Brown, sophomore Lindsey Edwards and junior Bre Davis, the Purple & White racked up 32 bench points while holding the Bulldogs’ reserves to just 14 points.

Overall, the Purple & White (4-11, 2-2) defense was the key to the victory over the Bulldogs (8-7, 2-2) with the Panthers posting a +9 (35-26) rebounding margin. Meanwhile, HPU held the Bulldogs’ top rebounder, KJ Weaver, to half of her rebounding average with four boards. On the other hand, sophomore Emma Bockrath was the top rebounder for HPU recording eight during the contest.

Likewise, the Panthers’ offense outshot the Bulldogs 50 percent (28-56) to 40 percent (21-52) while posting 20-16 edge in turnovers on the day.

Bockrath registered 14 points – all in the second half – and senior Kaylah Keys added 13 to join Brown in double figures for HPU. Similarly, junior Kat Harris (9 points) and Edwards (8 points) were both a basket away from double-digit scoring.

In the first three minutes of the contest, HPU led the Bulldogs 6-4 with field goals from sophomores Haleigh Hatfield and Shea Morgan and Keys. During the last three minutes of the period, the Purple & White posted a 7-2 run with a field goal from Edwards and a three-point basket from Brown, for the Panthers to lead the Bulldogs at the end of the first quarter 13-8. In the frame, the HPU defense controlled the tempo forcing 10 Bulldog turnovers.

The Bulldogs defense responded at the beginning of the second frame, holding the Panthers to only four points in the first three minutes. However, a layup from Harris at the 6:23 mark ignited a 12-3 Panther run with field goals from Keys and Morgan as well as a three-point basket from Davis (32-18, 2:14).

Due to the run, HPU entered the half leading the Bulldogs 36-22.

After the break, the Bulldogs went on an 8-4 run to pull within 10 (40-30, 6:25), but were unable to break the HPU defense, turning the ball over six times in the frame. Keys recorded six points in the quarter while redshirt-sophomore Kennedy Currie, Harris, Edwards, and Bockrath all tallied a basket in the third (54-41).

In the final frame, Brown opened with a 5-0 run of her own to up the Panthers’ lead to 18 (59-41, 8:36). UNC Ashevile got it going on the offensive end with 19 point in the final quarter, but were unable to stop the HPU offense from recording four more three-point baskets to close out the 76-60 victory.

The Purple & White will travel to Radford, Va. on Tuesday, Jan. 14th to take on the Highlanders. The Panthers look for redemption against Radford after falling to the Highlanders, 72-57, at the Big South Championship last season.

HPU will return to the Millis Center Jan. 21st for their contest against Gardner Webb.