By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
Kirtland, OH---Uniqua Mitchell led six players in double figures as the Express women's basketball team defeated Lakeland Community College 98-35 on the road tonight.
Mitchell scored 16 of her 18 in the second half while adding 11 rebounds and a team-high five assists (four of which came in the first half).
In the first half, the Express jumped out to a 10-0 lead and cruised to a 47-12 halftime lead. At the break, they had more made field goals (19) than Lakeland had attempted field goals (18), while also holding large advantages in points in the paint (32-6), points off turnovers (22-2), second chance points (20-4) and bench points (15-2).
Karahn Scott also added a double-double for the Express with 13 points and a team-high 15 rebounds, while Breonna House scored 11 second half points to also added 13 for the game.
The Express opened the second half on a 13-3 run. After Lakeland cut their deficit to 60-17, the Express went on a 12-0 run to take a 72-17 lead. They led by as many as 65 in the game.
Nandi Taylor (11), Eboni Adams (11) and Danielle Bezeau (10) also scored in double figures. Taylor and House tied for second on the team in assists with four, while Mackenzie Heacock had a team-high six steals.
For the game, the Express shot 41-for-81 from the field, 7-for-25 from 3-point range and 9-for-22 from the foul line. Meanwhile, the Lakers shot 14-for-49 overall, 3-for-12 from 3-point range and 4-for-10 from the foul line.
The Express outrebounded the Lakers 58-27, which included a 31-11 advantage in offensive rebounds. Moreover, the Express forced 25 Laker turnovers, while 21 of those came on steals. The Express only turned the ball over 10 times while allowing only one steal.
Emma-Jean Ricketts added nine points, six rebounds, three assists, three steals and a team-high two blocks. Meshia Smith, who also had two blocks, scored seven points in nine minutes off the bench.
Notes
The Express are now 20-7 overall and 7-2 in the OCCAC. They will host Cincinnati State Technical and Community College at 1 p.m. on Saturday. With a win, the Express can move into a tie for first place with the Surge.
Mitchell eclipsed the 600 career point mark tonight. Her 18 points today gives her 604 for her career. Today was her 15th game in double figure scoring this year, while it was the fifth game in which she had 10 or more rebounds (third consecutive).
Meanwhile, Ricketts now has 432 points this year and 841 for her career. She passed Robin Nesper for ninth place on the career scoring list tonight.
Heacock now has 539 career points.
Scott has 448 career points and 434 career rebounds. She has recorded a double-double in five of the past six games.
Head coach Mike Llanas is approaching 200 career wins. Today's victory was No. 197 overall, 85of which have come in OCCAC play.
The Express, with their 20th win today, have achieved their 4th straight season of 20 or more wins. It marks the sixth season in the past seven in which they accomplished that feat, as well.
Today's win was the fourth straight for the Express and their sixth in the past seven games.