By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
Toledo, OH---Mackenzie Heacock continued her scoring tear, while Danielle Bezeau added a career-high in points as the Express women's basketball team defeated Vincennes University 76-64 in the SHAC tonight.
It was a non-conference matchup.
The Express defense locked down Vincennes for a long stretch in the middle of the game as the Trailblazers only produced one field goal from 9:21 remaining in the first half until 13:47 remaining in the game.
The only field goal during that stretch was a 3-pointer from Shelby Parmer with 41 seconds left in the first half. During that time, the Express outscored the Trailblazers 33-10.
When Ashley Hawkins scored the first field goal of the second half for Vincennes with 13:47 remaining, it cut the Vincennes deficit to 52-29. Prior to her basket, the 25 point lead was the largest of the game for the Express.
The basket by Hawkins sparked the Trailblazers, and they made a run to cut the deficit to 64-54 with 5:02 remaining. The Express were able to ice the game at the foul line, though, as their final 12 points came from there.
That foul line performance was led in large part by a phenomenal day from Heacock, who went 12-for-13 from the foul line. During those final five minutes, she was 7-for-8 from the line.
Heacock finished with a team-high 20 points, while adding four rebounds and one assist. She struggled from the field (3-for-13), but carried the Express at the foul line.
Meanwhile, Karahn Scott had her fifth straight game in double figures with 17 points. She added 10 rebounds and a team-high five steals. It was also her sixth game in double figures in the past seven games.
Jordyn Bond had the team-high in rebounds with 11. She added five points and a team-high six assists.
Bezeau may have been the biggest offensive surprise of the night as she produced a career-high 14 points to go with seven rebounds, four assists and four steals. She went 5-for-9 from the field, and it was the fourth game of her career in double figure scoring.
The fourth player in double figures was Emma-Jean Ricketts, who nearly had a double-double as she finished with 11 points, nine rebounds, two blocks, one assist and one steal.
Zhanna Chuckhrii led the offensive surge for the Trailblazers in the second half and finished with a game-high 23 points. Her teammates, Ashley and Taylor Hawkins, each added double-doubles. Taylor approached a triple-double with 13 points, 17 rebounds and seven blocks, while Ashley had 10 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and three blocks.
Notes
Similar to Scott, Heacock's 20 point game marked her fifth straight and sixth in the past seven in which she scored in double figures. During that five game stretch, Heacock is averaging 20.5 points. In two games against Vincennes this year, Heacock scored 36 points.
The win improved the Express to 2-0 against Vincennes this year. The Express defeated them on the road 76-69 on Dec. 1. This season marked the first ever meeting between the two teams.
Ricketts now has 761 career points. She is eight points away from passing Unique Lane (2007-09) for 13th place on the career scoring list.
Heacock now has 481 career points. She tied Doye Byrd (2000-02) for 35th place on the career scoring list. Tonight, she passed Katie McClure (465 points), Nasumbi Beard (468 points) and Lara Bartley (475 points) on the list.
Scott now has 388 career points. She moved into the top 50 in career scoring with tonight's performance.
The Express improved to 16-6 overall. They will resume OCCAC action on the road Wednesday in Piqua, OH against Edison Community College at 5:30 p.m.
Vincennes fell to 8-13 with the loss.