BUIES CREEK, N.C. - Trailing by as many as 13 early in the second half, Campbell (9-6, 4-2 BSC) used a pair of big runs to rally past UNC Asheville (3-12, 2-4 BSC) in a 60-55 victory inside Gore Arena on Saturday afternoon.
With the Bulldogs leading 38-25 just two minutes into the second half, the Lady Camels used a 10-0 run over the next three and a half minutes to make it a one-possession game. Four minutes later, Campbell found another hot streak, scoring seven unanswered to knot the matchup at 45-45 with 7:19 to play.
After shooting just 26.7 percent (8-of-30) in the first half, Campbell knocked down 11 of its 27 shots (40.7 percent) in the second frame to finish the contest 19-of-57 (33.3 percent) from the field.
UNC Asheville went 14-of-31 (45.2 percent) in the opening half, but was held to 5-of-23 (21.7 percent) shooting in the second half as the Lady Camels outscored the Bulldogs by 14 points.
Senior Kiera Gaines totaled her third double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds and fellow senior Summer Leverette led all scorers with 16 points. Freshman Summer Price joined the senior duo in double figures with 11 points.
The Big South's active career leading scorer, Shonese Jones, led the Bulldogs with 15 points. She was joined in double figures by Chatori Major who finished with 10.
Despite falling into an early hole, Campbell scored six unanswered points, including a pair of baskets from Price, to take its first lead of the game, 8-5, with 13:41 remaining.
The Bulldogs responded with a 9-2 run of their own over the next three minutes. Major keyed the run with four points and Tiffany Wilson added three more for UNC Asheville over the stretch.
Campbell closed it to a one-possession game after a pair of free throws from senior Juli Osborne at the 7:13 mark, but a three-pointer by Jones put the Bulldogs ahead by six; the Lady Camels could not close the gap and trailed by nine, 34-25, entering the locker room.
Four quick free throws gave UNC Asheville a 13-point lead, its largest of the game, with 18:08 remaining in the contest, but Campbell responded with a 10-0 stretch to close back to within three points. Four different Lady Camels scored during the run, which was led by four points from Gaines.
Just four minutes later and trailing by seven points, Campbell rattled off a 7-0 run keyed by five points from Leverette to tie the contest at 45-45 with 7:19 left on the clock.
A layup by Price with 2:17 to play gave the Lady Camels their first lead since early in the opening half, but UNC Asheville responded with a pair of free throws from KJ Weaver for another tie at 52-52.
Gaines gave the Lady Camels the lead for good with a layup at the 1:34 mark, and three free throws down the stretch by Leverette sealed the 60-55 victory for Campbell.
Campbell will return to action on Tuesday morning for a special 11:45 a.m. tip against Gardner-Webb. Admission will be free for the general public as part of Campbell's Education Day festivities. The Lady Camels hold a 17-9 edge in the all-time series over Gardner-Webb, including a near-perfect 11-1 mark in Buies Creek, and swept the series last season.
