BUIES CREEK, N.C.-Ashley Williamson posted her
fifth double-double in six games and gathered her 500th
career rebound, leading Campbell past Mercer, 66-60, inside the
John W. Pope Jr. Convocation Center Saturday afternoon.
Campbell moves to 14-11 overall and 9-7 in A-Sun play, while the
Bears fall to 11-14 and 8-8 in league games. The win also puts the
Lady Camels in position for the A-Sun Tournament's No. 2 seed,
breaking their tie with Mercer.
Williamson's 18 points came on 7-of-14 shooting, with 10 rebounds
and three assists in 32 minutes. Freshman post Jazmine Cooper also
reached double figures with 12 points and four boards, adding a
steal. Sophomore guard Amanda O'Neill chipped in 12
points with four boards and four steals.
Monique
Spry, a freshman guard, finished at eight points with three
rebounds, assists and steals. Sophomore guard Kate
Cloxton tied a career-high on the afternoon with nine assists,
adding three points and a pair of rebounds.
The Bears totaled four in double figures with senior guard LaToya
Jackson leading the way at with 14 points. Kourtney Carter, Neicey
Lewis and Courtney Ford all gathered 10 points in the loss. Carter
led the Bears on the glass with eight rebounds. Ford added five
rebounds, three steals and two assists.
After the Bears notched the games' first four points, Campbell
answered with an 11-4 run, taking its first lead of the game on a
Courtney
Cannon three from the corner. Powered by 20 points off 13
Mercer turnovers, the Lady Camels took a 38-24 lead into the break.
Jazmine
Cooper tallied 10 points in the first frame while Monique Spry and Ashley
Williamson added eight each.
Shooting 55.2 percent in the first half, the Lady Camels cooled
down to a 34.6 rate in the second stanza, allowing Mercer, who shot
45.2 in the second period, to come within two with 7:25 remaining,
at 51-49.
At the other end, Tonisha
Baker answered for Campbell with a drive and a lay-in. A Mercer
turnover forced by Amanda O'Neill, one of 20
for the Bears, then led to a Williamson bucket to give the Lady
Camels a six point cushion.
Clinging to a 61-55 lead, the Lady Camels connected on five-of-six
attempts from the line, taking the 66-60 win.
The Lady Camels will be back in action on Thursday, Feb. 18 against
East Tennessee State in Buies Creek. The contest will be Campbell's
"Think Pink" game, raising awareness for breast cancer.
