Limestone uses 2nd-half run to defeat Trojan women

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on January 26, 2013 11:03 PM

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MOUNT OLIVE -- Mount Olive exchanged punches with Conference Carolinas co-leader Limestone for more than 20 minutes on Saturday afternoon.

One devastating five-minute stretch changed all of that.

The No. 22-ranked Saints used a 14-0, second-half run to defeat the Trojans 76-62 inside Kornegay Arena on Saturday afternoon. Alexandra Silva led Mount Olive with 20 points, while Kirksten Mitchell and Tamara Nesmith each had 12 points.

Stephanie Hayes led four Limestone players in double figures with 19 points.

Mount Olive trailed 37-36 early in the second half before Limestone went on its back-breaking run capped by Ashley Robinson's layup. Silva's layup ended a five-minute scoring drought by the Trojans.

The Saints' lead grew to as large as 57-40 on Hayes' 3-pointer with nine minutes to play. MOC found the defensive stops it desperately needed to climb back into the game hard to come by as Limestone (14-2 overall, 11-1 CC) converted shots on the offensive end.

The Trojans (12-4, 8-4) couldn't knock down perimeter shots and finished just 1 of 5 behind the 3-point arc. MOC also committed 19 total turnovers.

Mitchell's layup closed the Saints' advantage to 63-52 with fewer than four minutes to play. Limestone quickly answered with layups by Hayes and Danielle Dixon, which extended the lead to 67-52.

The teams combined for seven lead changes and five ties in the opening half. The Trojans held a 28-20 edge in rebounds, but committed just 12 turnovers compared to just four for the Saints, who led 30-29 going into halftime.

MOC head coach Wendy Lee was unavailable for comment after the game.

The Trojans entertain conference co-leader Barton on Thursday. Tip-off is 5:30 p.m.