Box Score Andrea Jones led four players in double figures with a game-high 20 points and hit a three-pointer with just over two minutes left to put Mount Olive ahead to stay as the Trojans extended their winning streak to three with a 70-64 victory over previously undefeated Brevard in non-conference women's basketball Monday at Brevard, N.C. Jasmine McDonald scored 15 points and came within a rebound of her third double-double in four games, while Alyssa Luebs recorded her first double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Mount Olive (3-1) overcame an early eight-point deficit and built a 12-point lead in the second half before Brevard (4-1) rallied to regain the lead. The Tornados had a chance to add to a one-point lead, but Jones forced a turnover and finished the possession with a three-pointer to give the Trojans a 63-61 lead with 2:09 left to play. Luebs hit a layup and McDonald connected on a pair of free throws to complete a 7-0 run and extend Mount Olive's lead to 67-61 with 49 seconds remaining.
Brevard hit 3-of-4 free throws to pull within three, but McDonald knocked down two more free throws to help seal the win. McDonald was a perfect 8-for-8 from the line.
Brevard jumped out to a 14-6 lead as Lindsay Brendle, Anna Schlobohm and Micheala Watkins combined for all of the Tornados' points. Mount Olive trailed 20-13 with 10:42 left in the first half, but held Brevard to only four points the remainder of the half.
Jones hit a pair of three-pointers and outscored Brevard 10-2 on her own during a three-minute span. Back-to-back three's by Jones and McDonald completed a 20-2 run and Mount Olive led 34-24 at halftime.
Mount Olive took its biggest lead at 40-28 on Joneiqua Gary's layup with 16:51 remaining in the game. Brevard rallied with nine unanswered points as Holli Flippo sparked the run with a pair of three-pointers. The Trojans' lead never got above six and Brevard took a 59-57 lead after Watkins hit a pair of free throws with 4:11 left.
Tamara Nesmith converted a three-point play seven seconds later to put Mount Olive back on top 60-59. Brendle sank a pair of free throws with 2:35 remaining to give Brevard the lead before Jones sparked the Trojans' rally.
Nesmith finished with 11 points and seven rebounds, while Destinee Webb dished out a game-high five assists. Nesmith and Gary added four assists apiece. Mount Olive outrebounded Brevard 53-34.
Jones is averaging 20.0 points per game and scored exactly 20 points for the second straight game. She scored 21 points and 19 points in her other two games.
Schlobohm led Brevard with 19 points, while Brendle added 14 points. The Tornados were held without a field goal over the final five-plus minutes, scoring their final nine points from the free throw line.
Mount Olive returns to action Saturday as the Trojans travel to Elizabeth City, N.C., to take on Elizabeth City State in a non-conference match-up. Tip-off is 4 p.m.