Brevard, N.C. – On Saturday afternoon, the Tornados took on rival and SAC foe Mars Hill for the second time in less than a month, this time taking on the Lady Lions at home in Boshamer Gymnasium. Despite a valiant effort, the Tornados could not avenge their earlier season loss to the Lady Lions, falling on Saturday 77-62.

 

Although the Tornados never led in the first half, BC never trailed by more than eight points in the first 20 minutes of play as both teams played fairly even basketball. Both teams shot 6-of-6 from the free throw line and over 50 percent from the field with the Tornados shooting 52.4 percent and the Lady Lions shooting right at 50 percent. 

 

The Tornados kept it close and remained in striking distance of Mars Hill in the first half, relying on their outside shooting as they knocked down 4-of-8 from the three-point line.

 

The Tornados made a late first half run to cut into the Mars Hill lead making it 36-32 at the half.

 

In the second half of play, the Tornados cooled offensively while the Lady Lions did not, as Mars Hill once again shot 50 percent from the floor, connecting on 13-of-26 and 4-of-6 from behind the three-point arc.

 

Mars Hill continued to add to their lead in the second half, pushing it up to double-digits for good at the 7:28 mark on two made free throws by Brittini Young.

 

BC battled hard for the final seven minutes of play, but could not cut the lead into single digits as Mars Hill answered ever Tornado run.

 

Brevard had four players in double figures led by Holly Krogman and Kelsey Sill who had 13 points apiece. Freshman Amanda Whitaker had 11 points, while sophomore Samantha Winn added 10 points while pulling down a team-high six rebounds on the afternoon.

 

Mars Hill was led by Ariel Okunowo’s game-high 27 points. Fellow backcourt mate Brittini Young had 17 points, while forwards Allison Schaefer and Lindsay Roberts had 12 points apiece. Roberts had a double-double pulling down 10 rebounds to go along with her 12 points.

 

The loss drops the Tornados to 7-12 on the season, while the Lady Lions improve to 11-8 with the road win.

 

The Tornados will hit the road again on Wednesday, February 6, when they will travel to Hickory, N.C. to take on the Lady Bears’ of Lenoir-Rhyne at 6 p.m. The Bears defeated the Tornados 59-47 back on January 9, at Boshamer Gymnasium.