Third Quarter Run Propels Basketball Past St. Andrews

The Brenau basketball team defeated St. Andrews (NC) College 64-50 in an Appalachian Athletic Conference matchup on Wednesday in Gainesville.

After a cold-shooting first half, the Golden Tigers found themselves in a 30-27 deficit at intermission. However, the squad raced to a 19-2 run to open the third quarter to take control of the game. Senior Autumn Dodson started the run with a three-point shot, and then Dodson found Lia Thomas cutting through the lane to cut the deficit to 32-29.

After Ashanti Brown made one of two free throws, a driving layup by Kaylyn Brooks tied the game at 32-32. The Golden Tigers increased their lead to 45-36 on a Madison Phillips fast break layup, and then Carmen Garcia-Pitarch Lopez nailed back-to-back three pointers to give the home team a 14-point lead.

Thomas led the Golden Tigers with 14 points, five rebounds, five steals and four assists, while Ashanti Brown posted her first career double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Phillips chipped in nine points, while Garcia-Pitarch Lopez added eight points, four rebounds and three assists.

Samantha Ring led St. Andrews with 18 points.

Brenau (13-6 overall, 8-5 AAC) next hosts Bluefield (Va.) College (10-10 overall, 7-8 AAC) on Saturday at 2 pm in Gainesville.