Rhea County native, Amber Levi, led the Lady Lions in an 80-60 victory over fellow Appalachian Athletic Conference opponent St. Andrews University (N.C.) today to keep Bryan’s conference record a perfect 6-0. The Bryan Lions Women’s Basketball team moves their overall record to 14-1.
A 21-9 first quarter pieced together by Bryan exposed many issues for the St. Andrews team. After controlling the first half 43-26, the relentless play from the Lions proved too much for the Knights.
Levi compiled her fourth highest offensive performance of the year, shooting 4-for-9 (3-for-5 from three-point line) for 17 points.
Both Erisha Talley and Keila Formont finished in double-digits. Talley notched 11 points (4-for-10), four rebounds, and two assists. Formont collected a team-high six assists along with 10 points (3-for-8).
Megan Billingsby and Taylor Neuharth ended with nine points, respectively. Billingsby led the team in rebounds with eight while Neuharth grabbed three boards and three assists. Cheyenne Shaver had a notable eight-point outing (3-for-7) and corralled four rebounds.
A hot first quarter and success at the foul line gave the Lions just what they needed to edge out the Knights. Bryan shot 38.2 percent from the floor while St. Andrews followed shooting 37.9 percent. Both teams remained close in rebounding, with Bryan outrebounding St. Andrews 47-40. The Lions pressured the Knights to give up 22 turnovers compared to their 14. The impact was made at the free-throw line as Bryan knocked down 19-for-29 opposed to St. Andrew’s 3-for-3.
After an early 10-7 lead with help from Shaver behind the arc, the Lions continued an 11-0 run before letting the Knights score a basket to close out the first period.
The Knights cut a 21-9 Lions lead to 27-24 after a 15-6 start to the second quarter. Bryan had a three-point lead with four minutes left until the half, and they managed to create a significant run while keeping St. Andrews scoreless to close out the quarter. Formont found Billingsby underneath for the easy bucket to begin the run. Formont eventually snagged a rebound and hit Levi for the three-pointer. Billingsby added three more points and both Levi and Neuharth connected from downtown to give the Lions a 43-26 lead going into the break.
In the start of the third quarter St. Andrews battled to cut the deficit but Bryan’s lead never dipped below double-digits. Just under four minutes left in the third quarter Kaylee Smith drained the mid-range shot to give the Lions their largest lead of the game, making it 59-36. Talley drove the lane to put the lions up 61-44 as neither team managed to score the final two minutes of the quarter.
Bryan kept their composure and returned to a 20-point lead with two minutes left to play in the game, 77-57. Brandi Whitted scored the last five points for the Lions, sealing an 80-60 win.
Returning to the hardwood after the holidays, Head Bryan Women’s Basketball Coach, Jason Smith said, “I thought we were a little rusty today coming off the break. We shot it well and rebounded well in the first half and coasted in the second half, but defensively I hoped to be better today. We need to focus quickly with two tough road games this week.”
The Lady Lions have a challenging week, traveling to Point University (Ga.) Monday (Jan. 4th) and Milligan College (Tenn.) Thursday (Jan. 7th). Tipoff for both games is set for 5:30pm. On Saturday (Jan. 9th) Bryan hosts Montreat College (N.C.) at 2:00pm.