ST. AUGUSTINE – Tori Pearce poured in a career-high 25 points and added six assists to go along with three steals as Flagler College held on to defeat UNC Pembroke 70-66 in a Peach Belt Conference women's basketball game Saturday afternoon at Flagler Gymnasium.

Flagler snapped a two-game losing streak and improved to 5-7 overall and 4-6 in the Peach Belt. UNCP lost its second game in a row and dropped to 2-9 overall and 2-8 in conference play.

Today was the final home regular season game for the Saints. Before the game, the team honored its lone senior Monique Bryant, along with cheerleaders Erinn Lauer and Kylie Miller.

"I was proud of our ladies grit today," said head coach Mo Smith, "especially with us being down so many bodies (only seven players dressed). I thought Pembroke did a great job fighting to get back into the game by hitting some big shots and coming up with some big offensive rebounds that led to put backs."  

Flagler started out strong taking an early 17-3 lead. The Saints held a 41-31 lead at the half and withstood a fourth quarter rally by the Braves.

UNC Pembroke opened the fourth quarter on a 19-7 run and trimmed the deficit to one (64-63) after a Gabby Smith layup with 2:17 left in the game.

A pair of N'Mya Pierce baskets gave Flagler a much-needed cushion.

After a Naomi Gilbert three-pointer got the Braves to within two (68-66), Sadie Russell put the game away with two free throws with seven seconds left to go.

Jaziana Mathis added 14 points for the Saints while Pierce recorded her fifth double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Russell grabbed a season-best 12 rebounds and blocked three shots. Bryant, in her final home game for Flagler, tallied seven points and grabbed eight rebounds.

The Saints forced 14 Braves turnovers and cashed those in for 17 points.

Tiara Williams notched a double-double for UNCP with 14 points and 10 rebounds. She added six assists to her line. Courtney Smith led the team with 17 points. Smith finished with 11 points and six rebounds and Gilbert tacked on 10 points.  

The same two teams meet on Monday at Pembroke at 3:30 p.m.

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