HIGH POINT, N.C. – The Winthrop women's basketball program had a difficult afternoon on Saturday as the High Point Panthers came out hot and defeated the Eagles 86-44 inside the Qubein Center.
 
Winthrop (4-16, 2-7) | High Point (9-11, 6-3)
Feb. 5, 2022 | Qubein Center High Point 86, Winthrop 44

How it Happened
First Quarter | High Point made consecutive three pointers to start the contest off with a 6-0 lead. Leonor Paisana countered with a jumper, but the Panthers scored the next five points for a nine-point lead halfway through the first quarter. A Luka Malinka three pointer briefly stemmed the tide, although High Point went on to take an 18-7 lead with one minute to play. Another Malinka jumper cut the deficit back to single digits at the end of the period.

Second Quarter | Tori Hall began the second stanza with a jumper to cut the lead to seven. An 8-0 run by the homestanding Panthers gave High Point a commanding 26-11 lead with six minutes to play until halftime. A Malinka three pointer and jumpers by Sierra Hunter and Hall slashed the lead back to eight, forcing a timeout by the Panthers. High Point then went on a 7-2 run to take a 13-point lead into the locker room.
 
Third Quarter | Unbelievably, the Panthers started the second half on a 20-0 run, giving them a commanding lead that would hardly shrink for the rest of the contest. Winthrop valiantly attempted to cut into the huge lead, but High Point kept the pressure on and had a 60-24 lead going into the final quarter.

Fourth Quarter | The Panthers went on a 6-0 run to begin the final period and took a 66-24 lead. Hunter then scored three straight times for the Eagles, getting the visitors over the 30-point mark. Consecutive three pointers from Noble Tsumas gave Winthrop a little momentum, but it was far too little too late. Hunter and J'Mani Ingram provided the rest of the points for the visitors, providing the final 42-point margin. Statistical Standouts

• Sierra Hunter (15 points, 6-10 FG, four rebounds)
• Luka Malinka (eight points, one rebound, two assists)
• Tori Hall (seven points, 3-6 FG, six rebounds, one block)
• Noble Tsumas (six points, 2-2 3FG, one rebound, two assists)

Up Next
Winthrop continues conference play with back-to-back contests against USC Upstate on Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 8 & 9. FOLLOW US!
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