Braves sink Trojan women at free throw line

By UMO Media Relations
Published in Sports on November 28, 2015 11:08 PM

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UMO Media Relations

PEMBROKE -- Jasmine Huntley and Ebone Stevens combined to hit six consecutive free throws in the final 35 seconds, and UNC Pembroke handed in-state region rival University of Mount Olive a 63-55 loss in women's college basketball action Saturday afternoon.

The Trojan women (2-3 overall) trailed 45-38 after three periods.

Daria Simmons hit a free throw and added a field goal to trim the Braves' lead to 45-41 with 8:36 remaining in regulation. The Braves pushed their advantage back to eight points before Ni'Ya Styles drained a 3-pointer at the 7-minute mark.

Pembroke maintained either a two- or three-possession lead until Aerial Johnson converted a layup to pull Mount Olive to within 51-48 with 51/2 minutes remaining.

Shy'Lia Buie closed the gap to 53-52 with back-to-back layups within 37 seconds of each other. UNCP got two free throws each from Jonissa Monley and Huntley to make it 57-52 with 46 seconds to go.

Styles dropped in a 3-pointer off of Buie's assist, but UMO could get no closer. Huntley and Stevens helped the Braves outscore the Trojan women, 22-6, at the free throw line.

Huntley finished with 13 points.

Styles emerged as Mount Olive's lone double-figure scorer with 18 points. Johnson, who fouled out along with Kiara Jones, managed just five points and eight rebounds in limited action. Jones provided four points and six rebounds. Anamaria Zjacic contributed seven points and five boards.

Buie passed out nine assists.

UMO had 17 team assists on 21 made field goals and pulled down 50 rebounds, including 39 on the defensive end.

The Trojan women return home Tuesday to face second-year Conference Carolinas member Southern Wesleyan. Tip-off is 5:30 p.m. at Kornegay Arena.