No. 14 Lander Downs Lady Pirates, 89-60

GREENWOOD, S.C. - The No. 14-ranked Lander University women's basketball squad captured its eighth win in a row with an 89-60 victory over visiting Armstrong Atlantic State in Peach Belt Conference action on Wednesday evening in Greenwood, S.C.

The Bearcats (15-1, 8-0 PBC) remained the Peach Belt's lone unbeaten team in league play with the victory, handing the Lady Pirates (6-9, 3-4 PBC) their third straight loss and worst defeat of the season - AASU had not lost by more than eight points in any game so far this season.

The Bearcats broke open an 11-7 game with a 13-0 run over a 3:43 stretch midway through the first half, capped by a three-pointer by Nardia Robbins, and carried that advantage into a 47-21 halftime lead. Lander shot 61.3 percent from the floor in the first half, making 19-of-31 shots, while the Lady Pirates made just 6-of-26 shots from the floor for 23.1 percent.

The Lady Pirates shot better in the second half, making 50 percent of their shots from the floor (16-of-32), but could not cut into the Bearcat lead, never getting within 21 points.

Lander's Shannon McKever led a quartet of Bearcats in double figures with 21 points, 12 rebounds and six blocked shots on the night. Kaylyn Small added a double-double as well with 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Ciara Lyons collected 13 points and Kami Phillips notched 10 points.

The Lady Pirates were led by junior Arpine Amirkhanyan and senior Lauren Hall, who each scored 15 points on the night. Senior Dartayvia Thomas added 10 points as well.

AASU turned the ball over a season-high 33 times in the loss, as Lander recorded 18 steals.

The Lady Pirates return to action on Saturday, January 23, with a 1:30 p.m. Peach Belt Conference contest at UNC Pembroke.