Dec. 9, 2006

Final Stats

MEMPHIS--The Christian Brothers University Lady Bucs jumped out to a 23-7 lead in the first 12 minutes and held on for a 64-59 victory over North Alabama Saturday afternoon at Canale Arena.

North Alabama (5-6) led 4-2 on a Jameica York lay-up with 17:40 remaining in the half, but the Lady Bucs (4-3) took the lead for good with back-to-back lay-ups by junior Ponecia Anderson (Bartlett, Tenn./Bolton HS) and sophomore Crystal Shelton (Nashville, Tenn./Hume-Fogg HS). After a Chelsey Malone free throw, Shelton made a jumper and a three-pointer to build the lead to 11-5.

The Lions answered with a Brittany Godsey basket, but CBU came right back with a 12-0 run to stretch the lead to 23-7 with 8:26 remaining in the half on an Ashley Besinger (Southaven, Miss./Southaven HS) three-pointer.

Besinger would finish with a career-high 14 points along with three blocks and three rebounds in 19 minutes as she helped the Lady Bucs avenge a 62-52 loss last month at North Alabama.

Early in the second half, the Lions went on a 17-5 run stretching nearly eleven minutes to close within three points at 37-34 with 7:42 remaining. The margin stayed near three points until Besinger helped CBU pull away. With the shot clock running out, she rattled another three-pointer home. A minute later, she put CBU ahead by six again with a baseline jumper, then stretched the lead to eight by making two free throws with 4:49 to play. The Lions would come no closer than four points again.

CBU will return to the court next Sunday, Dec. 17, when they host Alabama-Huntsville. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.