Women’s basketball sets PBC record with 117 points in win over Columbus State:
The Lander women’s basketball team had a phenomenal shooting first half Saturday afternoon and broke the Peach Belt Conference record for points in a conference game, defeating Columbus State 117-82 in the PBC opener at Finis Horne Arena.
In a battle of perennial Peach Belt championship contenders, the Bearcats (4-2, 1-0 PBC) won their third straight over the Cougars (3-1, 0-1 PBC). Columbus State had beaten third-ranked Carson-Newman earlier this season.
Lander made 21 of its first 28 shots from the floor including nine of 10 from three-point range and 20 of its first 22 free throws through three minutes left in the second quarter. The Bearcats led 71-37 at halftime and were never threatened in the second half.
The previous record for points in a Peach Belt Conference game was 113 set four times, twice by the Bearcats. Lander vs. Armstrong Atlantic State, 2/7/11; Columbus State vs. Francis Marion, 2/10/08; Francis Marion at Lander, 1/30/08; and Lander at Georgia Southwestern, 12/1/07.
The all-time record for points in a game by a Peach Belt team was set on Nov. 25, 2014, when the Bearcats scored 132 points versus non-conference foe Allen University.
Lander put six players in double figures Saturday, including three with more than 20 points.
Symone Starks led the Bearcats with 25 points, making seven of 10 shots from the floor including four of five from behind the arc.
Mylea McKenith scored 23 points on eight of 13 shooting. Jessica Harris added 20 points while leading the team with eight assists and also grabbing eight rebounds.
Amiaya Melvins contributed 11 points and five assists for Lander, while Ariana Sanders and Tabitha Dailey added 10 points apiece. Miriam Recarte paced the Bearcats with nine rebounds.
Leeaysia Williams led the Cougars with 18 points, scoring 11 in the fourth quarter. Tatiana Wayne added 16 points for Columbus State, Tatum Jarvis contributed a double-double with 15 points and a game-high 10 boards, and Naomi Holloway scored 11 points.
The Bearcats came out firing in the opening quarter, making nine of 13 shots from the floor (69 percent), including three of four from three-point range, and 14 of 15 free throws (93 percent). Lander missed only two of its first 11 shots.
Leading 14-11, McKenith started a 17-0 Bearcats run with nine unanswered points, making a three-pointer, layup, and four of four free throws. Michelle Wright added a three-pointer and two free throws as the 17-0 run built the lead to 31-11. Lander was up 35-16 at the end of the first quarter.
The phenomenal shooting continued into the second period as the Bearcats reached the 90 percent mark from behind the arc. Starks hit two threes, and Harris, Sanders and Quin’De’Ja Hamilton one apiece to make the team nine of 10.
Lander’s largest lead of the first half was 43 when Starks hit a layup, making it 71-28 at the 3:03 mark.
Starks had 15 points while McKenith and Harris had 14 apiece in the first half.
The Bearcats hit the 90-point mark with two minutes left in the third quarter when Starks nailed a free throw, making it 90-53. It was 97-59 going into the final period.
Lander hit the century mark with 9:14 left in the fourth quarter when McKenith made a three, upping the lead to 100-59.
Hamilton’s jumper with 2:14 left gave the Bearcats 115 points, breaking the conference record. Abbriana Washington and Mechella Davis added free throws to complete the scoring.
Lander’s shooting cooled off in the second half. The team finished 36 of 66 from the floor (55 percent), 12 of 20 from three-point territory (60 percent) and 33 of 44 from the line (75 percent).
Columbus State struggled from long range, making only four of 29 (14 percent) from behind the arc.
