Braves basketball plays Lander close but fades in the end

By Dan Kelly
Sports Editor
           
The UNCP women’s basketball team lost at home to fellow Lander Bearcats 75-66 to move to a record of 4-12 overall and 2-4 in the Peach Belt Conference.
           
The game was incredibly close until the Braves couldn’t keep up with the Bearcats in the final 8:20 as Lander finished on a 19-12 scoring run.
           
UNCP Head Coach John Haskins cited scoring problems that had been troubling the team not just against Lander, but for most of the season.
           
“We’ve got to score on a consistent basis,” Haskins said.

Close first half
           
The first half was very competitive with both teams shooting just under 40 percent from the field, and the Braves taking the halftime lead 34-30.
           
The difference in the second half came when Lander stepped up its offensive efficiency to 53 percent in the second half while the Braves sputtered at 38 percent.
           
Coach Haskins felt the Braves played with good effort on defense despite the Bearcats excellent second-half statistics.

Mistakes and success
           
A key was the 20 turnovers UNCP committed, according to Haskins, which gave Lander a massive 24-5 edge in points off turnovers.
           
Both teams shot well from the three-point line in the second half with Lander at 60 percent and UNCP at 57 percent.
           
The Braves did have a 43-38 edge in rebounding, though.

Scoring
           
Natasha Stotler led the Braves with 21 points and 9 rebounds.
           
The Bearcats, though, had four starters score in double figures.
           
The Braves’ Mallory Wegmann injured her leg just five minutes into the game and did not return.