Whitby saves Trojans

By MOC Sports Information
Published in Sports on November 14, 2010 1:51 AM

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MOC Sports Information

MURFREESBORO -- Mount Olive saw an eight-point second-half lead disappear, but Jasmine Whitby's runner in the lane with nine seconds remaining lifted the Trojans to a 56-55 non-conference victory on Saturday at Chowan.

Whitby, who missed the entire 2009-10 season with an injury, notched a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. The contest was the season opener for both teams.

A three-point play with 18 seconds left gave Chowan a 55-54 lead. Whitby got the ball above the top of the key, drove into the lane and rattled home an eight-footer to score what proved to be the game winner.

After trailing by three at halftime, Mount Olive (1-0) outscored Chowan 15-4 in the first 10-plus minutes of the second half. Jessica Nelms hit 4-of-4 free throws to give the Trojans their first lead of the second half and Destinee Webb's layup capped a 13-0 run and gave Mount Olive a 42-34 advantage with 9:41 left to play.

Chowan (0-1) cut the margin to one, but Whitby connected a three-pointer and Brittany Miller hit a jumper to extend the Trojans' lead to 52-46 with 3:13 remaining. But Mount Olive would go the next three minutes without a field goal.

Chowan chipped away again and pulled within 54-52 on Talaya Lynch's basket with 46 seconds left. The Hawks forced a turnover and Ransheda Jennings fought through three Trojan defenders underneath to score the tying basket and draw a foul. Jennings hit the free throw to put Chowan on top.

Chowan had one last chance after Whitby's basket, but a shot attempt went over the backboard. Mount Olive was able to inbound the ball and run out the clock.

Mount Olive trailed by as many as nine points midway through the first half before Andrea Jones knocked down two free throws and added a three-pointer to give the Trojans a 16-15 lead with 6:49 left before intermission.

Chowan regained the lead on its next possession and led the remainder of the half. Miller's basket with 59 seconds left pulled Mount Olive within a point, but Jennings' layup with 29 seconds left gave the Hawks a 30-27 lead at halftime.

Jones added 10 points for Mount Olive, while Miller and Nelms finished with eight points apiece. Miller and Laporsha Davis each pulled down five rebounds.

Jennings led all players with 20 points on 7-for-11 shooting and also shared game-high honors with five assists. Lynch also recorded a double-double with 11 points and a game-high 12 rebounds.

Mount Olive has a week off before playing host to Catawba Saturday in the Trojans' home opener. Tip-off for the non-conference match-up is noon at Kornegay Arena.