DANVILLE, Ky.--- Sophomore guard Haleigh Releford scored 17 first half points to lead Asbury past Berry College on Friday evening in the Colonel Classic in Danville, Ky., for their second straight win. In a game that saw four lead changes and four ties, Asbury used there swarming defense once again to turn Berry over 25 times securing the victory. 

Releford added seven rebounds and three steals to her team-high scoring night. Trinity Shearer was the other Eagle scoring double-digits with 12 in this low scoring contest as Shearer knocked down three three's, dished five assists and grabbed a steal.

Tiffani Riley's pressure defense was a problem for Berry as she snagged five steals herself and added six points for AU. Kayla Harlow collected nine boards for the second time this week as she now has 38 rebounds in the first four games of the year.

Asbury made their most three's so far this season with nine in their lowest scoring game yet, led by Shearer with three. After taking 20 steals on Sewanee Tuesday night the Eagles jumped right back in defensively to take 14 steals from a Berry team that was preseason ranked number two in the Southern Athletic Association. 

Emma Strunk and Haleigh Releford started the game off with two three's that sparked Asbury into a 17 point first quarter, giving them an eight point lead at the first break. 11 of the 17 AU points came from Haleigh Releford.

The teams basically switched places in the second quarter as Berry outscored Asbury 16-9 to head into the half trailing AU, 25-26. 

Coach Chad Mayes pushed the right buttons at the break as his team had their highest scoring quarter of the game in the third with 19 points taking a six point lead heading to the fourth. AU made four three's in the quarter, led by Shearer with two. Tiffani Riley scored all six of her points in the third quarter. 

A 45-45 tie held for three minutes in the final quarter before Spencer Harvey and Cam Preston finally broke the drought to give AU a 48-45 lead. Consecutive three's late in the game from Trinity Shearer and Cam Preston gave Asbury a lead they would not let up.

AU held on to beat Berry for their second consecutive win and reach .500 with a now 2-2 record. 


* Haleigh Releford | 17 PTS, 7 REB, 3 STL
* Trinity Shearer | 12 PTS, 5 AST, 2 REB, 3 3PT
* Kayla Harlow | 9 REB, 6 PTS, 1 BLK
* Tiffani Riley | 6 PTS, 5 STL


* Asbury's defense collected 14 steals and forced 25 turnovers (that makes 34 steals and 53 opponent turnovers in two games)
* Asbury had nine three's, their most this season


"Another night where the entire team just finds a way to get it done. Berry College is a very good team and battled the entire game. Just when we thought we were going to pull away, they would come back. This game was not decided until the final horn. 

I kept telling my team that we needed to have as much composure as we did effort. In the end, they executed every play I gave them to perfection. When the shooting catches up to our defense, we have a chance to be a special team. They have tremendous heart and they play so well together. I absolutely love my team!"
Chad Mayes | Head Coach


Asbury will face the host team of this classic tomorrow afternoon in Centre College with a 3 pm tip-off. AU will look to go above .500 for the first time this season and win their third game of the week. 


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