HANOVER, In.--- Asbury women's basketball (0-1, 0-0 CCS) opened up their 2024 season play at Hanover College (2-1, 0-0 HCAC), falling to the Panthers 77-73. Hanover used a big third quarter, outscoring the Eagles 27-13 to secure the home victory.

Top scorers for the Eagles included senior Haleigh Releford, who netted 14 points accompanied by seven rebounds and two steals. Sophomore Emily Sizemore also played a pivotal role, scoring 13 points and securing 4 rebounds.

Graduate student Celia Pelfrey and sophomore Camryn Poole both added double-digit scoring adding 11 and 10 points respectively. Junior Morgan Flannery was a force on the defensive end adding six steals, falling just one short of tying a career high.

Sophomore Ma'Kiya West added a nice spark off the bench for AU, posting nine points and eight rebounds in 21 minutes of action. Senior Camryn Preston led AU on the boards collecting nine in 25 minutes.

Despite a strong first half that saw the Eagles lead 42-31 at the break, the Panthers used a big third quarter in which they shot 59% from the field to outscore AU 27-13, and eventually pull them to a victory.

Hanover was led in scoring by Grace Bezold, who scored a game-high 31 points and 11 rebounds. Katherine Benter and Alexis Wines both paced the Panthers adding 20 and 10 points respectively.


AU now has a quick turnaround and will take on Schreiner University in their first home game of the season on Friday at 1 PM.


Asbury:
* 26-74 FG (35%), 7-30 3 PT (23%), 14-20 FT (70%)
* 36 Points in the Paint
* 25 Points off Turnover 
* 19 Bench Points
* 14 Team Steals
* 15 Second Chance Points
* Out-Rebounded HC 40-38
* Forced 23 HC Turnovers

* Haleigh Releford | 14 PTS, 7 REB, 2 STL
* Emily Sizemore | 13 PTS (6-9 FG), 4 REB, 2 AST
* Camryn Poole | 10 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST
* Ma'Kiya West | 9 PTS, 8 REB
* Morgan Flannery | 6 STL
* Camryn Preston | 6 PTS, 9 REB
* Grace Bezold | 31 PTS (11-21 FG), 11 REB