GREENWOOD, S.C. –
Jaziana Mathis scored a team-high 20 points and was one of four Flagler College players in double figures, but it wasn't enough as No. 8 (WBCA Division II Top 25) Lander University rallied late to win 85-72 in a Peach Belt Conference women's basketball game Saturday afternoon at the Finis Horne Arena.
Lander improved to 21-3 overall and 15-3 in the Peach Belt. The Bearcats are the No. 2 seed in next week's conference basketball tournament. Flagler is now 12-16 overall and 6-12 in conference play. The Saints locked up the No. 7 seed, so Wednesday (March 2) Flagler will play at Lander once again.
The Saints had their biggest lead, 44-31, with 7:21 left in the third quarter. The Bearcats closed that quarter on a 19-8 run and trailed by one (52-51) going into the fourth quarter.
A Vashae Rideout layup opened the fourth quarter and gave Lander a 53-52 lead, the team's first lead since Amiaya Melvins made a free throw 15 seconds into the game. The Bearcats never trailed again. Lander shot 66.7 percent from the floor in the final quarter.
Sharale McCormick added 19 points and grabbed seven rebounds for Flagler.
Taylor Gardner finished with 15 points and
Tori Pearce contributed 10 points, a game high nine assists, and eight rebounds.
Aniaya Jester scored a game high 25 points, grabbed a game high 11 rebounds, and tallied seven assists. Rideout tacked on 22 points.
Lander out-rebounded Flagler 53-35 and grabbed 22 offensive rebounds that led to 20 second chance points.
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