JOHNSON CITY, Tenn.-Michelle DeVault scored a game-high 21
points to lead East Tennessee State to an 84-66 victory over
visiting Campbell Saturday in Atlantic Sun women's basketball
action.
Marlena Murphy posted her second-consecutive double-double and 11th
of the season with 16 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Lady
Camels (5-18, 3-10 A-Sun) who have dropped five in a row. Freshman
Gara Bell finished one point shy of her first career double-double
with nine points and 11 rebounds.
The Bucs (14-9, 10-3) used an 18-5 run midway through the second
half turning a four-point game into a 74-56 contest with 4:42 to
play. Brooke Wilhoit added 13 points, all in the first half, while
Siarre Evans and Jenny Norman each netted 11; Evans led ETSU with
10 rebounds.
Bell converted a pair of layups and a free thrown capping a 15-5
Campbell run pulling the Lady Camels within four, 53-49, with 11:40
to play in the game before the Bucs made their run to pull away for
the victory.
ETSU shot 53.3 percent from the floor and 50.0 percent from
three-point range, while Campbell connected on 36.5 percent from
the floor and 40.0 percent from three-point range.
ETSU opened up a 12-point lead after four-consecutive three
pointers by DeVault, Holly Moring (two) and Wilhoit pushing a 22-18
game into a 34-22 contest with 6:29 to play. The Lady Camels used a
9-2 run in just over three minutes cutting the deficit to 38-34
with 25 remaining in the half. Wilhoit hit her third three of the
half in the closing seconds to extend the lead back out to 41-34 at
the break.
Both teams struggled to take care of the basketball in the opening
20 minutes combining for 28 turnovers. The Lady Bucs hit 7-of-11
three pointers in the opening half and connected on 57.1 percent
from the floor, while Campbell shot 48.0 percent from the floor and
just 1-of-3 from deep.
Campbell finished with 24 turnovers for the game and ETSU had 23
after committing 15 in the first half.
The Lady Camels play their final two home games of the season next
week hosting Mercer on Thursday and Stetson on Senior Day Saturday
afternoon.