Pacers Lead Early; Panthers Surge Ahead

Raleigh, NC--The Pacers played an awesome 13 minutes to start the game and played well for the rest only to come up short at the final buzzer (72-59). Defensively, Peace forced 20 turnovers from the Panthers and recorded 4 steals in the loss. Offensively, the Pacers shot the best thus far in conference play with 38.9% from the field. The team recovered well from the dismal 22.4% shooting at Greensboro College earlier in the week.

A patient offense with smart passing gave Peace an early lead by as much as 8 points over Ferrum. Sophomore inside Brenna Mickey (Winston-Salem, NC/North Forsyth) scored 8 of her 10 in the first period. Overall, Mickey shot 50% from the floor and was perfect from the line with 4-4. Junior guard LeAnne Horne (Monroe, NC/Parkwood) scored 2 buckets early and went 2-2 from the line in the first half. Horne came out of the locker room at the half and countered the Panther run with 2 quick 3's and a 2-point goal within the first 3 minutes of the 2nd period.

With three minutes to go in the game, both coaches emptied their benches. The Pacers held firm and played well forcing the Panthers coach to unleash his starters once more. First-year guard Margaret Minton (Oak Ridge, NC/Bishop McGuiness) scored 5 points making 1 from behind the arc off a great pass from first-year Kayla Mitchell (Walnut Cove, NC/West Stokes). First-year Emma Weavil scored her bucket in the final minute of the game.

Sophomore forward Emily Deal (Millers Creek, NC/West Wilkes) had her first start of the season. Deal scored 3 points in the second period and recorded 2 key assists for the Pacers. Juniors Lauren Seeger (Greensboro, NC/Page) and Amanda Cross (Clemmons, NC/Bishop McGuiness) led the rebounding efforts of the Pacers grabbing 6 and 5, respectively. Cross added a steal in the first.

Kierra Parker led the Panthers scoring 16 points in the game. She had 11 at the half going 3-3 from behind the arc. Tonya Wright played strong inside scoring 10 of her 14 points from the line out of only 12 attempts.

Peace returns to home court action hosting Averett University Thursday night at 7:00pm. Come back Saturday, February 9 as the Pacers host a THINK PINK game in support of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's breast cancer awareness initiative. Wear your PINK and green and come support the Pacers as they take on the Captains of Christopher Newport University at 2:00pm. See you on the sidelines!