CHARLES’ 15 FIRST HALF POINTS LED THE LADY BEARS PAST LEMOYNE-OWEN
FAIRFIELD, AL – The Lady Bears of Miles College (17-6; 14-5) defeated the Lady Magicians of LeMoyne-Owen College (8-17; 7-14) 85-61 behind a 15-point first half by junior Toccara Charles Saturday afternoon at Knox-Windham Gymnasium.
The Lady Bears jumped out to nine point advantage after a basket by senior Ashley Orphey with 10:32 left in the opening period. The Lady Magicians would tie the game 24-24 on a 3-pointer by Monique Reed with 5:31 to go and took the lead at 25-24 with 4:53 left. Junior LaTanya Scott sank the front end of a one-one with 24 seconds left to tie the game at halftime 31-31.
Miles' Charles led all scorers at the break with 15 points, while junior Sammeika Thomas had six and four rebounds. The Lady Bears shot 41.4 percent from the floor and 37.5 percent from the free throw line.
LeMoyne-Owen shot 32.3 percent from the field, but performed much better at the line going 9-of-12 for 75.0 percent. Tangela Albright paced the Lady Magicians in the first frame with nine points.
In the second half, the Lady Bears turned up the heat as they jumped out to a 12 point lead with 15:23 to go and 27 points 77-50 off a 3-pointer by Orphey at the 4:44 mark and again with 3:16 remaining. Freshman RaShawne Cox hit a 3-pointer with 25 seconds left to complete the scoring at 85-61.
The Lady Bears hit 49.2 percent from the field, while shooting 60.0 percent form the foul line. LeMoyne-Owen shot 27.7 percent from the floor and 65.6 percent from the free throw line.
Charles led Miles with a game-high 18 points, while hitting 7-of-10 shots from the field, 3-of-6 from behind the arch and 1-for-1 at the free throw line. Sophomore Jessica Franklin came off the bench to add 11 points and four rebounds and Orphey chipped in a game-high seven assist and 15 points. Thomas added the only double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds and senior Brandy Gillespie scored 7 and Cox 8 points.
Tiffany Rayner led the Lady Magicians in scoring with 15 points and nine rebounds. Tangela Albright added 13 points and four boards.
Miles out rebounded the Lady Magicians 40-43.
The Lady Bears next game is Monday, February 21 in Frankfort, KY as they play Kentucky State University in a 5:30 game.
