Mars Hill powers past Bluefield State in non-conference play
The Mars Hill women's basketball team (2-6) evened up the season series versus Bluefield State (4-3) Monday night with a 73-55 victory.
BLUEFIELD, W.V. - The Mars Hill women's basketball team (2-6) evened up the season series versus Bluefield State (4-3) Monday night with a 73-55 victory.
The Lions held an 8-3 lead with 6:30 played in the first quarter before the Big Blues began a 7-0 run to take their only lead of the contest. Tatum Boggs' lone three-pointer of the game with five seconds left in the frame regained the Lions' lead heading into the second.
Tied at 11 in the second frame, Mars Hill began to distance themselves by going on a 6-2 to take a 17-13 with less than seven minutes to play in the half. Leading 22-18 with 4:05 in the half, the Lions ended the frame on a 5-2 run to take a 27-20 lead into the half. Boggs led the team with eight points after 20 minutes of play.
Mars Hill recorded back-to-back 23-point quarters in the second half to close out Bluefield State for their second win of the season. The Lions shot 55 percent in the second half and ended the contest shooting 50 percent from the floor.
A back-and-forth affair in the third quarter saw the Lions maintain a nine-point advantage heading into the fourth quarter, highlighted by a 12-3 run to open the frame. The Big Blues, midway through the frame, went on an 11-0 run to pull within four, however, Mars Hill responded with a 7-2 run to end the quarter. De'Ja Marshall led the Lions with eight points in the third, hitting all four shots attempted. Bluefield State's Kara Sandy matched Marshall's output to lead the Big Blues in the third.
Marshall continued her hot shooting in the fourth, once again hitting all four shots attempted and leading the team with eight points.
The Lions had five players in double-digits at the end of the game with Marshall's 21 leading the way. She collected a game-high 10 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the season. Boggs finished with 16 while the trio of Gabby Gianikos, Fajhenee Bradford, and Alexis Pardue each recorded 10 points.
Mars Hill returns to South Atlantic Conference play on Saturday, December 7 when they face the Cobras of Coker. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.
