WILMORE, Ky. --- On Saturday afternoon the Asbury women's basketball team (8-7, 5-1 CCS) squared off with Piedmont University (12-6, 8-1 CCS) in a conference rematch. The Eagles handed the Lions their first Collegiate Conference of the South (CCS) loss, defeating Piedmont 71-64.
Asbury was led in scoring by senior psychology major
Camryn Preston. Preston poured in 13 points on 4-7 shooting from the field. The Harrodsburg, Ky. native added three steals and four boards to her totals.
The Eagles were paced by
Ma'Kiya West and
Juleigh Anne Tucker who both dropped in 12 points for the Eagles. West gained her third consecutive start, while adding four rebounds and two three-pointers to her stat line. Tucker got hot from beyond distance, converting four three-pointers, tying her season-high off the bench.
Camryn Poole and
Emily Sizemore helped play a factor into the attacking AU offense on Saturday. Poole scored nine points, while Sizemore added eight.
AU out-scored the Lions in two out of the four periods, tying the third and PU taking the fourth frame.
Piedmont was led in scoring by Alexandria Willis' 15 points and 11 rebounds. Andelin Hill added 14 points and 13 boards, while Nae-Nae Eades added 11 points. Brooklyn Begley poured in 13 points off the bench in just eight minutes. The four Lions combined for 53 of their 64 points.
Piedmont dominated the glass, out-rebounding the Eagles 45-22, grabbing 25 offensive boards leading to 31 second chance points. AU converted nine second chance buckets.
The Eagles shot 24-55 (44%) from the field while Piedmont shot 24-70 and 34%. PU converted on just 10 four three-point attempts, while AU converted on 10.
Asbury committed 14 turnovers on six Lion steals, Piedmont committed 19 turnovers on 11 steals for the Eagles.
Asbury scored 31 bench points and 12 from
Juleigh Anne Tucker, as Piedmont got just 15 from their own.
There were just three lead changes throughout the affair, AU leading the enitrety after the 5:50 mark of the first.
Piedmont drops their first CCS match falling to 8-1 in league play, while Asbury improves their standing to 5-1 in the CCS, and winning their fifth straight game.
The teams split the season series, each winning on their home court.
"This was a great weekend for us. These were the top two teams in the conference we played, with Piedmont, arguably playing as good as anyone winning 7 games in a row, and to win both is huge for us. For us it begins with defense. We just have a mindset that we can guard anyone. No matter what challenge I give them, they welcome it, because Piedmont has tremendous talent, but in order to compete in the CCS, you have to bring it every night."
Chad Mayes | Head Women's Basketball Coach
"This was a good win for us, especially for our first year in the conference. We saw them last year as well, and it was good to get them back on our home court."
Ma'Kiya West | Sophomore | Exercise Science | Louisville, KY
Asbury will travel to Agnes Scott on Friday to take on the Scotties in Decatur, GA at 6 PM.
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Camryn Preston | 13 PTS (4-7 FG), 4 REB, 3 STL
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Ma'Kiya West | 12 PTS, 4 REB
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Juleigh Anne Tucker | 12 PTS (4-6 3 PT)
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Camryn Poole | 9 PTS, 3 REB, 3 AST
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Emily Sizemore | 8 PTS
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Liz Boyd | 6 PTS
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* Use the links attached to the team schedules to watch live or follow live stats
