By Amanda Flowers/Owens Sports Information
Toledo, OH-- The Express women's basketball team had a strong second half to secure an 80-68 win over Columbus State in the SHAC today.
Leading scorers for the Express were Emma-Jean Ricketts (24), Jordyn Bond(18) and Karahn Scott (14).
Ricketts added four assists and eight rebounds (2 offensive).
Bond contributed 11 rebounds (two offensive), two assists and one steal. She has four double-doubles this season.
Scott added 11 rebounds (two offensive), two assists and one steal. It marked the seventh double-double of the season for her.
Mackenzie Heacock's nine points pushed her to 501 career points. She added five rebounds (one offensive), two assists and one steal.
The Express out scored the Cougars 32-28 in the paint and 15-11 in second chance points.
Bailey Pierron led the Cougars with 17 points, 12 rebounds (four offensive), four assists and one steal. Andrea Spencer added 15 points and two rebounds, both offensive. Melea Smith added the team's second double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds.
The Express defense held Columbus State's leading scorer Karis Watts to four points. She went 2-for-12 from the field and 0-for-3 from 3-point range while not attempting a free throw. She came in averaging 17.8 points per game in conference play.
The Express are now 17-7 overall and 4-2 in the OCCAC. They are now in a 3-way tie for second place in the conference behind first place Cincinnati State (5-1).
The Express are back in action Wednesday in the SHAC against Cuyahoga Community College at 5:30 p.m.
Notes
Heacock's 501 points puts her 33rd in all-time career scoring for the Express women's basketball program.
Ricketts scored her 800th career point during today's game, which makes her the 11th women's basketball player to score 800 career points for the Express. She now has 802 point and with 17 more points, she will move into the top 10 in career scoring.
Scott is nearing a rebounding milestone as she sits at 399 for her career.
Uniqua Mitchell and Nandi Taylor, who had not seen action since Dec. 20 against Mott CC, each contributed to the win. Mitchell had three points in three minutes, while Taylor had one assist in seven minutes off the bench.