Goldsboro girls cruise by North Lenoir

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on February 15, 2014 11:13 PM

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LaTina Bullock expected a ragged start.

Still, Goldsboro continued its late-season surge.

Sophomore guard Tyona Moses poured in a game-high 24 points during the Cougars' 56-44 triumph over North Lenoir at Norvell T. Lee Gymnasium on Friday evening.

Goldsboro (10-11 overall) improved to 7-2 against Eastern Carolina 2-A Conference opposition this season and clinched an opening-round bye for the league tournament.

"It was more of a grind that the first time we played them," Bullock said of Goldsboro's effort. "But I think it had a lot to do with us being off so many days, not being able to get into the gym and practice. It showed."

The Cougars closed the first quarter with a 7-2 run, but the Hawks answered with a game-tying 9-2 surge of their own. Moses' traditional three-point play broke a 30-27 deadlock and gave Goldsboro a lead it wouldn't relinquish the rest of the night.

North Lenoir (9-14, 4-5) closed the gap to four points after three quarters, but could get no closer.

"We weren't really moving the ball around, taking our time on offense instead of running our offense like we did the first time we played them," Bullock said. "We didn't play aggressive defense like I know we can. We didn't force many turnovers, which in turn made the game go like it did."

Moses and Markia Garner (eight rebounds) combined for 11 of Goldsboro's 14 points in the final period. Garner finished with seven points, while point guard Destini Covington chipped in 10 points.

Spring Creek transfer Alyssa Borja, a senior, paced the Hawks' offense with 12 points. Quoya Porter contributed nine points.