Newest forward in lineup produces second double-double of season

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on December 2, 2007 2:25 AM

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MOUNT OLIVE -- Tomeka Prichard didn't seem too enthusiastic when Mount Olive College women's coach Wendy Lee moved her to small forward a couple of games ago.

The change took the thin-framed Prichard off the perimeter and put her inside against more-physical and taller players to compensate for an injury-depleted frontcourt. Prichard even admitted she didn't like Lee's decision.

"I do get beat up, but I can deal," said Prichard.

No doubt.

The 5-foot-9 sophomore recorded her second consecutive double-double -- 13 points, 10 rebounds -- as the Trojans hammered Erskine 87-42 on Saturday afternoon at Kornegay Arena. Mount Olive (3-2 overall) remained unbeaten in three Conference Carolinas outings and captured its third straight victory against the Flying Fleet.

Mount Olive played without its leading scorer, Helen Moore, and senior center Sierra Medeiros. Moore, who averages 17.7 points per contest, is nursing a hip injury. The 6-foot-2 Medeiros, the Trojans' tallest player, continues to recover from a concussion.

Both players have sat out practice and Lee isn't sure when they'll return to the lineup. And, to no one's surprise, Prichard has responded well in the duo's absence.

A Havelock native, Prichard drained three 3-pointers, controlled the defensive glass (nine rebounds) and blocked three shots in a team-leading 31 minutes against Erskine. She boosted her scoring average to 10.2 points.

"Anything we ask Tomeka to do, she does it," said Lee. "She's been fighting hard to defend post players, getting rebounds and running the offense when we need it. She's really stepping up for the team and has been the glue holding us together because of the different things we're facing right now.

"There will be some mismatches with size, but she's quick and tries real hard to get in front boxing out to get rebounds. I think she makes up with her lack of size by having a big heart."

All 11 Trojans who suited up played at least six-plus minutes in the double-digit victory. Senior Division I transfer Lakeisha Monroe emerged the game's top scorer with 18 points. Brittney Robich contributed 13 points. Keona Corley just missed a triple double with 11 points, nine assists and eight steals.

Latara Wade, in her collegiate debut, nailed two 3-pointers and finished with eight points off the bench. Brittany Miller and Shequanta McGee chipped in seven points apiece.

"The team is playing hard for each other and we're playing together," said Lee. "That's different and I like that. The feeling of togetherness we had today is the most gratifying thing I can get from this game."

Prichard's putback broke a 2-2 tie and ignited a 15-2 run less than six minutes into the opening half. Moore's steal and open-court layup put the Trojans comfortably ahead 29-7 with 7 minutes remaining before halftime.

Erskine (0-4, 0-2 CC) labored through a poor-shooting first half. The Flying Fleet converted just 5 of 22 field goals and committed 17 turnovers, which led to 22 Mount Olive points.

Prichard and Robich combined for three 3-pointers as the Trojans extended their advantage to 53-23 less than 7 minutes into the second half. They grabbed their biggest lead, 85-39, with the reserves on the floor.

ERSKINE (0-2, 0-4)

Kristy Vaughn 0 0 0-0 0, Lacey Williams 0 0 0-0 0, Mary Ann Langford 1 0 5-6 7, Alneicia Allen 5 0 1-2 11, Lauren Brendle 1 1 2-2 7, Jean Marie Harris 1 2 0-0 8, Carolina Crowell 2 0 0-0 4, Octavia Johnson 0 0 0-0 0, Karen Anger 0 0 0-0 0, Christine Phan 0 0 2-2 2, Mandy Griffith 0 1 0-0 3, Ashley Gray 0 0 0-0 0. TOTALS -- 10 4 10-12 42.

MOUNT OLIVE (3-2, 3-0)

Brittany Miller 3 0 1-1 7, Alisa Jones 1 0 0-0 2, Tomeka Prichard 2 3 0-0 13, Keona Corley 4 0 3-3 11, Brittney Robich 1 3 2-2 13, Lakeisha Monroe 6 2 0-0 18, Shequanta McGee 2 1 0-0 7, Keshaun Mozee 1 0 2-2 4, Talisha Bryant 1 0 0-0 2, Latara Wade 1 2 0-0 8, LaPorsha Davis 1 0 0-0 2. TOTALS -- 23 11 8-8 87.

Halftime -- MOC 38-15. 3-point goals -- MOC 11-20, Erskine 4-10. Rebounds -- MOC 42 (Prichard 10), Erskine 19. Assists -- MOC 24 (Corley 9), Erskine 7. Turnovers -- MOC 20, Erskine 27. Blocked shots -- MOC 10 (Prichard 3), Erskine 1. Steals -- MOC 17 (Corley 8), Erskine 10 (Allen 4).