RALEIGH, NC – The Meredith basketball team, battled valiantly but fell short to the visiting Centre College Colonels, 60-58, in a thrilling contest this afternoon at Weatherspoon Gymnasium.
The game opened with a tight back-and-forth affair in the first quarter, with both teams exchanging baskets early. Emme Baber gave the Angels the last word in the frame, closing it out with a layup to make the score 12-14 in favor of Centre.
The second quarter started with a bang as Kendalyn Dixon sank a three-pointer for Meredith, but the Colonels quickly responded. The two teams went through a quiet stretch before Paris Bethea hit another three-pointer to spark the Angels, but Centre held on to lead 29-24 at halftime.
Meredith came out strong in the third quarter, with Denea Hawkins scoring a smooth jump shot in the paint. But then, Centre extended their lead to as much as seven before the Avenging Angels answered with an impressive 11 unanswered points. Pam Mock's hot streak, which included three layups and a jump shot, helped ignite the run. Rylie Wade added a basket, followed by back-to-back three-pointers from Danae Hawkins, pushing Meredith ahead. The Angels closed the quarter with a dominant 22-point performance, taking a 46-41 lead into the final frame.
In the fourth quarter, Centre gained the upper hand with a 13-2 run to take back the lead. Meredith responded with an 8-2 run of their own, and the teams traded leads several times. The game came down to the final seconds, with the Angels fighting until the buzzer. Ultimately, the Colonels held on for a narrow 60-58 victory, edging out the Angels by just two points.
Pam Mock led the Angels with 18 points and 4 rebounds, while Danae Hawkins contributed 12 points. Rylie Wade and Kylie Wade both grabbed 8 rebounds, showcasing their hard work on the boards.
The Avenging Angels will take a break for exams and the winter holidays before returning to action. Meredith's next game will take place on Tuesday, December 31st, as they travel to Salem College for a USA South match-up. The game is scheduled to tip off at 2:00 p.m.
