High Point Women’s Basketball Picks Up Exhibition Win Over Catawba

HIGH POINT, N.C. – The High Point University women’s basketball team opened the 2013-14 season with a 93-64 win over Catawba College in an exhibition game on Monday night at the Millis Center. Redshirt-junior Stacia Robertson recorded a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Panthers on the night.

“As I expected it started out a little rough,” said head coach DeUnna Hendrix. “The team responded well in the second half and played up to our expectations. Stacia had a great game and it was positive to see every player score and balance out the team. We have a lot of refining to do before Saturday’s season opener against Newberry.”

Robertson scored 20 points, including 9-for-9 shooting from the free-throw line. She also had seven steals. Freshman Kaylah Keys added 15 points and three assists and junior Latrice Phelps chipped in 11 points.

Every player scored for the Panthers and the team forced 17 turnovers.

The first half started as a defensive battle with the score locked 2-2 for the first four and a half minutes. Catawba went on a 12-7 run capped by a jumper from Emma Ucinski to give the Indians a 14-9 lead with 11:17 to go in the opening half.

Freshman Teddy Vincent came off the bench and immediately drained a three from the left wing to get the Panthers within two, 12-14. On the other end of the floor Vincent grabbed a defensive rebound and dished the ball ahead to senior Tayler Tremblay who penetrated the lane and was fouled by Ucinski. Tremblay drained both free throws to tie the game 14-14.

With 9:11 to go in the first HPU took the lead for good. Keys converted an old-fashioned three-point play to put the Panthers on top 19-16. High Point continued to pull away for the remainder of the first half, taking a 42-30 lead in to the locker room.

The Panthers continued to extend the lead, opening the second half with a 10-2 run capped off with back-to-back baskets by Lindsay Puckett that made the score 52-32. High Point stretched the lead to 27 with 4:25 remaining in the game on a long three-pointer by Keys. High Point went on to win the game 93-64.

Chloe Bully led Catawba with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Ucinski and Mallary Clay each added 14 points.

Tremblay finished the night with eight points and six assists and freshman DeAnneisha Jackson added eight points and six rebounds. Puckett had 11 points in the win.

High Point opens the 2013-14 regular season on Saturday against Newberry College. Tip-off at the Millis Center is 2 p.m.