Monroe's basket lifts Trojans to win

By MOC Sports Information
Published in Sports on January 29, 2008 2:52 PM

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MISENHEIMER -- Lakeisha Monroe scored 30 points and hit the game-winning basket with 13 seconds left as Mount Olive rallied from a 15-point second-half deficit to defeat Pfeiffer 78-76 in a Conference Carolinas women's basketball game Monday evening.

Alisa Jones recorded a double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds to give the Trojans a sweep in the season series, despite surrendering an early 12-point lead. Mount Olive won for the sixth time in its last seven games and is assured of keeping at least a share of second place in the conference standings.

Monroe reached the 30-point mark for the second time in three games. She scored a career-high 32 points Thursday against Barton.

Mount Olive (11-8 overall, 9-3 Conference Carolinas) scored the first 12 points of the contest, sparked by three-pointers by Monroe and Tomeka Prichard, and Helen Moore's three-point play. Pfeiffer (6-12, 3-8) got on the scoreboard with 18:10 in the first half and got as close as eight points.

Monroe's three-pointer with 15:40 remaining gave the Trojans a 19-8 lead, but Ashlee Athill's basket ignited a run of 17 consecutive points for Pfeiffer. Devona Knight capped the run with a steal and basket to give the Falcons a 25-19 lead with 7:44 left before halftime.

Helen Moore's putback with 7:21 remaining ended a seven-minute scoring drought for Mount Olive and Shequanta McGee's three-pointer helped the Trojans pull within 29-27 with 4:49 left. But Pfeiffer scored the next six points and Kalee Smith converted a steal into a basket to give the Falcons their biggest lead of the half at 44-32 with 48 seconds left before the break.

Keona Corley hit a field goal with 37 seconds left and Jill Oaks converted a pair of free throws with 17 seconds remaining to pull Mount Olive within 45-36 at halftime.

Monroe's steal and basket 12 seconds into the second half pulled the Trojans within seven, but Domonique China answered with a three-pointer for Pfeiffer. Allegra Shanee Purnell's three-pointer capped a 10-2 run and gave the Falcons their biggest lead at 55-40 with 16:36 left to play.

Jill Oaks' putback ended Pfeiffer's run and Monroe followed with a pair of free throws. After the Falcons built the lead back up to 14 points, steals by Monroe and Brittney Robich helped pull the Trojans within single digits. The margin was 10 when Jones' putback brought Mount Olive within 68-60 with 8:40 remaining.

Purnell pushed Pfeiffer's lead back to 10, but Moore's basket ignited an 8-0 Trojan run and Jones' layup with 5:24 remaining cut the Falcons' advantage to 70-68.

Pfeiffer had a chance to add to a 74-70 lead, but Monroe made a steal and pulled Mount Olive within a field goal with 2:08 left in the game. Athill hit a pair of free throws with 1:51 left to give the Falcons a 76-72 lead. The free throws would be Pfeiffer's last points.

Monroe's basket with 1:32 remaining brought the Trojans within a basket. Jones made a rebound on a Pfeiffer missed shot and Corley's putback on a missed three-point attempt tied the game at 76-76 with 55 seconds left.

Pfeiffer turned the ball over with 35 seconds to give Mount Olive a chance for the win. Monroe took a pass from Jones and hit the game-winner from the right baseline with 13 seconds left. Pfeiffer was unable to convert on its final possession.

Moore finished with 11 points and seven rebounds, while Corley added 10 points, three assists and three steals. Mount Olive outrebounded Pfeiffer 37-32 and held a 19-10 advantage in second chance points.

Purnell led Pfeiffer with 22 points, while Octavia Trammel added 12 points.

Mount Olive returns to action Thursday as the Trojans play host to St. Andrews in a Conference Carolinas match-up. St. Andrews won the first meeting 56-52 in Laurinburg earlier this month and has won the last five match-ups over the Trojans. Tip-off is 5:30 p.m. at Kornegay Arena. Pfeiffer plays host to Limestone Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in Conference Carolinas action.