Written by: Danny Talbert
Taylor Smith and Zyhia Johnson's incredible performances, helps the Panthers secure 95-74 win over the Blazers in this season's first CCS game.
First half details
Both teams started the first quarter by trading shots. While the threes were not falling for either team, both squads were shooting around 38% from the field. At the end of the first quarter, the Panthers led 27-20. Zyhia Johnson scored a team-high 12 points in one quarter. The Blazers began the second quarter on a 5-0 run which cut the LC lead to 27-25. Belhaven's forward Hayle Poindexter's ability to create second chance points off of offensive rebounds is what allowed the Blazers to jump ahead 30-28 with five minutes remaining in the half. The best play of the half happened when Zyhia Johnson grabbed an offensive rebound and scored a shot under the baseline as she was surrounded by Blazer defenders. On this play, Johnson showed how strong her ball control and handling is. Both teams showed great hustle in the first half. It felt like each point scored and rebound grabbed was going to be the thing that got their team a win or what caused them to lose. At the break, BU led 37-35.
Zyhia Johnson led the Panthers in scoring (14) followed by Amanda Mclendon (8).
Second half details
Despite being down at half, the Panthers came out firing on all cylinders out of the break. In the first five minutes, LC went on a 25–11 run, which put LC up 60-48. The Panthers continued to dominate the quarter and finished the period up 68-55. LC scored an incredible 33 points in the third, which is only two less than they scored the first half. The best play of the second half happened when Skylar Edwards hit a wide open Ashley Free behind the arc, for free to knock down a three. The Panthers continued to crush Belhaven, on their way to winning 95-74.
Top Panther performances
Taylor Smith scored an impressive 22 points, shooting 64% from the field. The foward also secured a double-double after grabbing 11 rebounds.
Zyhia Johnson also had another incredible performance today. The Georgia native started the game on fire, scoring a team-high 12 points in just the first quarter. Johnson would finish the game with 25 points, shooting 50% from the field. She also had eight rebounds, seven steals and two assists.
Next game details
The Panthers stay on the road to take on Piedmont on Friday (Jan. 5), at 5 p.m.
