CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Winthrop University women's basketball team led after one, but Charlotte flipped the script with a 49-23 surge across the second and third quarters to pull away for an 81-58 loss to the 49ers on Wednesday morning at Halton Arena.
FIRST QUARTER
- Winthrop struck first behind early pace and ball pressure, opening the game with a 7-1 run capped by Mya Pierfax's first three.
- Tocarra Johnson finished in transition off a Madison Ruff assist as the Eagles continued to attack early.
- Ruff turned defense into points, jumping a passing lane and finishing on the break to push the lead.
- Pierfax stayed hot, drilling her second three midway through the quarter to stretch the margin to nine.
- A Ryiah Wilson three in the final minute helped Winthrop carry a 20-13 edge into the second.
SECOND QUARTER
- Charlotte immediately began chipping away, opening the quarter with interior scores and second-chance points.
- Winthrop briefly steadied behind a Ruff finish, but the Eagles struggled to string together stops.
- The 49ers pulled even at 23-23 with just under five minutes remaining, shifting momentum.
- Zoe Best's go-ahead three at the 4:29 mark gave Charlotte its first lead of the game.
- Tanajah Hayes controlled the tempo, repeatedly finding teammates as Charlotte extended the run.
- Despite a late Wilson layup, Charlotte closed the half on top 36-31 after outscoring Winthrop 23-11 in the quarter.
THIRD QUARTER
- Charlotte wasted no time after halftime, opening the period with back-to-back layups from Janavia Gage to push the lead to nine.
- Asianae Nicholson asserted herself on the glass, cleaning up multiple second-chance opportunities.
- Best connected from deep midway through the quarter as the margin grew to fourteen.
- Princess Anderson added from the perimeter as Charlotte's spacing punished turnovers.
- Winthrop relied heavily on trips to the foul line to stay within reach but struggled to generate stops.
- Charlotte outscored Winthrop 26-12 in the quarter to take a 62-43 lead into the fourth.
FOURTH QUARTER
- Charlotte stayed aggressive inside to open the final period, scoring on putbacks and paint touches to extend the lead.
- Wilson provided a spark for the Eagles, including a transition three at the 5:54 mark.
- Each Winthrop push was quickly answered, including a Best three at 5:41 to keep the cushion intact.
- Charlotte continued to capitalize on turnovers, turning steals into fast-break points.
- Winthrop closed with late baskets from Cori Lard and Wilson, but the deficit proved too large.
- Charlotte sealed the win, finishing off the 81-58 victory.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Ryiah Wilson led Winthrop with 16 points on 5-of-6 shooting, knocking down three triples and adding four steals.
- Mya Pierfax and Madison Ruff each scored ten points, with Ruff also recording four steals.
- Tocarra Johnson added eight points and seven rebounds.
- Charlotte was led by Zoe Best with 13 points, while Asianae Nicholson posted 12 points and 13 rebounds.
- The 49ers won the rebounding battle 45-27, including 23 offensive boards, and turned 21 Winthrop turnovers into 32 points.
NEXT UP
The Eagles stay on the road, heading to Virginia to take on the Cavaliers on Saturday at 12:00 p.m.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
To keep up with the latest news on the Winthrop women's basketball program, follow the Eagles on Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
