RALEIGH, N.C. -- The Meredith College Avenging Angels basketball team lost a closely contested game to the Ferrum Panthers 73-63 in USA South action Tuesday evening. Gabi Jessup led the Angels with 17 points, shooting 5-9 from three, but Meredith's early success from beyond the arc would not be enough to hold off the visitors down the stretch.

The Avenging Angels came to play as they jumped out to a quick lead as Jessup and Nicole Miller led the charge. Meredith held a 20-15 advantage after 10 minutes of play behind a 57 percent field goal percentage that included nine points from three-point range.

The second quarter continued the offensive showcase as Head Coach Melinda Campbell rode the hot hands of Miller and Jessup on 47 percent shooting from behind the arc.

Zarkia Mattox led the Panthers in the first half with eight points and four rebounds, but Meredith held a 40-30 advantage heading into the intermission.

The second half began with a surge from the Panther offense, as the reigning USA South player of the week Kemani Crawford took control of the paint with 23 points and 11 boards on the night.

The offensive production from the Angels fell off as the team finished the game shooting just 24 percent from the field in the second half. By the end of the third quarter, Ferrum's 13-point swing placed the visitors in the lead by three with 10 minutes remaining in regulation.

As the shooting woes continued for Meredith, the Panthers extended their lead to 10 with less than two minutes left in the game. The Angels were forced to rush their offense while trying to make a comeback. 

Meredith ended the game shooting 38 percent from the field, while they were outscored 36-10 in the paint by the ominous presence of Crawford inside. Laquetta Hairston also contributed 11 assists for the Angels in the loss.

Meredith now falls to 2-9 on the year as they prepare to travel to Mary Baldwin College for a 2 p.m. tipoff Saturday afternoon. Follow the action live HERE.