Knights women's basketball shines at home with win over Bluefield Rams

Laurinburg, N.C. - The St. Andrews women's basketball team held off a last minute charge from the visiting Bluefield Rams to secure their sixth overall win and keep their chance at post-season play alive Wednesday evening on Harris Court. 

The Knights held a seven-point lead going into their second-to-last full-time out of the game with 57 seconds left in regulation. Their tenacity was quickly tested as Knights Ashley Starks' turnover several seconds back into play led to Hailey Smith's three-pointer, cutting the lead down to four points. Samantha Tougher's missed three-pointer on the next trip down the court gave the visitors an opportunity to make it a one possession game. Gabby Nielson's layup in transition on the assist from Jordan Gunter did just that, cutting the lead down to two. 

The Knights exited their final timeout of the game needing to hold on to their slim lead for 12 seconds. Following the Ram's Lina Pagan's foul, AJ Price received the ball around the half court line. Battling tight defensive pressure, she was called for a backcourt violation, handing possession back over to the visitors. Starks, who entered the game third in the Appalachian Athletic Conference in steals averaging 2.6 per game, decided to add to her tally. 

She made her second steal of the game and charged down the court. Haley Smith fouled her on the opposing end, sending the junior guard to the free throw line for two shots. Both shots were made, making it a two possession game in favor of the Knights, 59-55. 

Off the inbounds pass, Nielson launched up a last chance three-pointer at the buzzard that missed, definitively handing the home team the victory. 

Price led the Knights offense with 23 points, going 10-29 FGM, including 2-4 3PTM. She also added nine rebounds, and three assists. Samantha Tougher followed up with 18 points of her own, sinking all five of her three-point shots in the first two quarters. She finished 5-14 3PTM. Madison Larrimore continued her rebounding prowess, finishing with 14 defensive rebounds and five offensive rebounds. 

The Knights' record improves to 6-13, 5-13, overall. Their next matchup will be at home on Saturday, February 3, at 12 P.M.