BANNER ELK, N.C. – Five Bobcats scored double figures, led by
Aurora Roberts with a career-high and team-high 16 points, but it was not enough as visiting "Battle for the Blue Ridge Cup" rival King outscored the host Lees-McRae women's basketball team 21-12 in the third quarter en route to clinching the 81-72 win in the Conference Carolinas action this evening.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: King (Tenn.) – 81; Lees-McRae – 72
LOCATION: McNair & Debi Tornow Court – Banner Elk, North Carolina
RECORDS: King (Tenn.) (4-1/3-0), Lees-McRae (0-4/0-2)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Roberts shot 6 of 8 from the field and 4 of 6 from distance to lead the Bobcats in scoring, while Malikah Meyers chipped in seven points and a career-high and game-high 13 rebounds.
- Destiny Johnson added 12 points, eight rebounds, and four assists, with both Jessica Henderson and Arriana Lizarraga adding 11 points each and a combined 10 rebounds and four assists.
- Both teams traded points in the first 10 minutes of action until a late run by the Bobcats and a final layup by Johnson gave Lees-McRae a 26-21 edge at the first intermission.
- King responded by outscoring the Bobcats 20-13 in the second frame and 21-12 in the third stanza to grab momentum and hold a 62-51 edge at the final intermission.
- Lees-McRae slowly chipped away in the fourth quarter and trimmed the deficit down to 66-62 on a three-point field goal by Roberts with 5:20 left.
- King held off the late rally to clinch the conference win.
- The Bobcats held a slim 20-18 edge in points in the painted area, while the Tornado maintained a 27-8 advantage in fastbreak points.
FOR THE FOES:
- Brianna Dunbar finished with a game-high 19 points to go along with three assists and three rebounds.
- Trinity Lee and Alexa Gramann chipped in 13 and 12 points respectively.
UP NEXT:
The Bobcat will look to end their recent losing streak as they visit conference newcomer UNC Pembroke on Friday, Dec. 3 at 5 p.m.
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