Prichard sparks No. 9 Trojans

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on February 6, 2009 1:46 PM

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MOC Sports Information

SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Tomeka Prichard tallied 11 of her game-high 26 points during a second-half run as Mount Olive College knocked off Converse (S.C.) College in a Conference Carolinas women's basketball game Thursday evening.

Prichard also supplied seven rebounds and three blocked shots for the Trojans, ranked No. 9 in the Southeast Region poll, claimed their school-record 10th consecutive victory. Mount Olive seized sole possession of the league lead after Coker upset regionally-ranked Barton on Wednesday.

Jasmine Whitby narrowly missed recording the Trojans' first triple-double in more than decade with 11 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. The JUCO transfer from Louisburg College also picked the Valkyries for a game-high five steals.

Brittney Robich collected 10 of her 13 points in the opening half, but missed most of the second half with four fouls.

Sydney Brown drained back-to-back 3-pointers as Converse (4-16, 4-11 CC) drew within 44-41 with 13:15 left in the game.

Then Prichard took over.

The senior forward knocked down a 3-pointer on the Trojans' next possession and single-handedly outscored Converse 11-4 during a two-minute span to give the Trojans a 55-45 lead.

Mount Olive (16-3, 12-2) scored the next eight points as Meaghan Vanderhorst's steal and layup extended the lead to 63-45 with 8:32 remaining.

The margin grew to as many as 25 after Whitby's three-point play with 3:56 left gave the Trojans a 75-50 lead. Mount Olive forced 20 of Converse's 26 turnovers in the second half.

The Trojans return to action Saturday at Anderson (S.C.) University. Tip-off is 2 p.m.