Women’s Basketball Annihilates Meredith in Home-Opener
Four Quakers in double figures as they vaporize the Avenging Angels by 55 points
from Reagan Hune, Athletic Communications Graduate Assistant
GREENSBORO, N.C – The Guilford College women’s basketball team devastated Meredith College, 104-49 on Jack Jensen Court in the Ragan-Brown Field House. This being said, Guilford extended the winning streak to 13 straight, making GC 21-6 all-time against MC. The Quakers now rise to 6-0 in season-openers in the Mathews era and it was the first time since 2005 where the Quakers scored over 100 points against Emory and Henry on December 10th. The last nugget to note was GC’s 37 total steals was more than any DIII women’s basketball team had all of last season.
With Guilford’s win, it brings the Quaker’s record to 1-0 in the 2024-2025 season while Meredith falls to 0-1 in their first game.
Star standouts for the Quakers were Skyler Furr (Warrenton, N.C.) with team-high 21 points, half-a-dozen rebounds, and was 8-12 from the field, Julianna Walter (Taylorsville, N.C.) with 17 points, two rebounds, alongside an assist, and Zoe Bayer (Les Sables d’Olonne, France) with 15 points, three rebounds, and three assists.
Statistical leaders for the Avenging Angels included Pam Mock with game-high 23 points paired with seven, Danae Hawkins with a baker’s dozen in points, and Rylie Wade as the MC leader for rebounders with eight. Paris Bethea was also a stat leader in assists with three.
Guilford set the tone early, dominating the first quarter with relentless offensive pressure and suffocating defense, fueled by their ability to capitalize on the Avenging Angels’ turnovers. Hawkins opened the game with a 3-pointer for Meredith, giving the team a promising start. However, Guilford quickly countered with a layup from Courtney McMillan (Lexington, N.C.), who went on to tally ten points and four rebounds, setting the stage for GC. Defensive intensity was a staple of Guilford’s play throughout as MC ended with 13 turnovers in quarter one. Walter was pivotal from beyond the arc, hitting back-to-back three-pointers to widen the gap. Her assists to teammates further highlighted her court vision and playmaking skills. Furr was also a defensive anchor, recording two key blocks in the paint alongside six points in the first. Meredith continued to struggle against Guilford’s defensive pressure due to the active hands of Jael Hall (Charlotte, N.C.) and Briahna Scott (Graham, N.C.). Hall had four steals in Q1, fueling Guilford’s transition game. Mock contributed a couple of late jumpers to keep the team within striking distance, but the deficit was glaring, making it 29-9 at the end of the quarter.
In the second quarter, the Quakers maintained a comfortable lead over the Avenging Angels. Meredith showed flashes of resilience with Mock leading their scoring efforts, including a solid layup at 9:10 to break Guilford’s early momentum. However, Guilford’s pressure quickly turned the tide. Carleigh Perry (Faith, N.C.), with four assists at this time, and Furr took advantage of Meredith’s turnovers, with Furr contributing crucial points both from the field and the free-throw line. Despite Meredith’s efforts to stay within reach and creating a nine point deficit, highlighted by Mock’s consistent scoring and a three-pointer by Hawkins at 4:27, Guilford continued to press on. Bayer had an effective quarter as she provided eight points to GC from free throws and a pair of layups. Although there were efforts from MC, GC advanced their lead, 57-34 at the half.
Guilford’s fastbreak game was in full force. Perry and Bayer were fed off of quick transitions, while Furr showcased her scoring ability with multiple layups and a pair of free throws, extending Guilford’s advantage to 39 points midway through the third. Rebounds, steals, and free throws were McMillan’s go-to’s in Q3 while the appearances from Anaida Datilus (Chantilly, France) and Hannah Ajayi (Chapel Hill, N.C.) were beneficial with steals and layups. Meredith was only allowed five points in the entire quarter.
The fourth quarter saw a lot of fresh faces from both teams, but Markayla Massenburg (Raleigh, N.C.) made her mark with eight points in 10:00 minutes of play including a crucial three-pointer, assisted from Hall, pushing their lead to over 50 points. Hall was great, contributing with accurate jumpers and layups, including a fastbreak and-1 that extended the lead to 54 points. Datilus put in her two cents with steals, a couple of rebounds, and a pair of free throws. With around 19:00 minutes of play, Ashtyn Zeigler (Mooresville, N.C.) was added back into the mix to be the floor general and finished with six points and four rebounds. Even though the score didn’t reflect on how hard Meredith played, Guilford leveled their competition, 104-49.
The Quakers are on the road next to battle against the Falcons of Pfeiffer University on Tuesday, November 12th at 5 PM in a non-conference matchup.