On the two game road trip to Alabama, the Lady Panthers first faced Alabama A&M on Saturday. In a nail biter, the Lady Panthers pulled out with the win 58-55.
In the first half, Alabama A&M stayed within close range of the Panthers, with 26 points to the Panthers’ 32. The Panthers kept the ball moving while shooting 12-for-24 from the field, while their opponents shot a dismal 8-for-30.
At the start of the second half, determined to bring home the win, the Panthers continued to hustle and play strong. Alabama A&M held the Panthers at 26 points to their 29, but that would not be enough to blemish the Panthers’ undefeated record.
Gaati Werema rang up 15 points, Shavonne Smith had 14, and Candace Thomas had 13 and five assists in the win. The Panthers’ defense played big as Twila Stokes had ten rebounds, and Aminata Dieye chipped in six blocks.
In Montgomery, Ala. the Lady Panthers were one win away from sweeping the first half of conference play. With their highest point total of the season, the Lady Panthers came out victorious, 93-82.
Going into halftime, the Lady Panthers saw themselves with the go ahead seven point lead, 45-38. At the start of the second half, the Lady Panthers never looked back. They shot from the charity line 46 times to Alabama State’s 29. After getting into their rhythm, the Lady Panthers were once again victorious in Alabama.
Chari Smith clocked a double-double for the Panthers scoring the most points of any Panther this season with 35, and 14 rebounds. Candace Thomas threw in 19 points, and was 7-for-7 from the free throw line. Gaati Werema contributed 13 points, eight rebounds, as Shavonne Smith endorsed seven assists, four steals, and one block.
The Lady Panthers’ next piece of action will be against division rival Texas Southern, Feb. 9 at 5:30 p.m. in the William J. Nicks field house.