CHARLESTON, S.C. – The William and Mary women's basketball team used a balanced attack and shot a season-best and school record 61.8-percent (34-of-55) from the floor as they cruised to a 84-55 victory at the College of Charleston on Thursday night. Freshman Abby Rendle scored a game-high 16 points to lead four players in double-figures. With the win, the Tribe improved to 13-14, 7-9 in Colonial Athletic Association play, while the Cougars fall to 5-22, 3-13 in league action.
Rendle added four rebounds, two assists, and three blocked shots with her 16 points. Sophomore Marlena Tremba scored 15 points, adding two assists and five steals. Senior Kyla Kerstetter and sophomore Latrice Hunter each added 10 points off of the bench. Kerstetter added five rebounds, one assists, and two steals, while Hunter added two rebounds, three assists, and three steals.
W&M stormed out of the gates to take a 12-5 lead in the early stages of the game. After a Charleston free throw, Rendle scored six straight points only answered by one Cougar basket. Leading 6-5, W&M scored six in a row as sophomore Alexandra Masaquel sandwiched a pair of jumpers around a senior Jazmen Boone bucket.
The Tribe built its lead to as many as seven at 20-13, but CofC used a 12-5 run to tie the score at 25-25. Courtney Gardner started the run with a layup followed by a basket from Erin Hall. After a triple from Tremba, Gardner and Christy Hewatt hit jumpers. Again W&M answered but this time Charleston scored four straight points on a pair of baskets from Breanna Bolden to tie the score at 25-25.
W&M closed the half on a 20-8 run to build a 45-33 lead at halftime. Kerstetter and Tremba, who each scored six points during the run, led the spurt.
The Green and Gold scored the second-most points in a first half this season with 45. They also shot 66-percent (20-of-30) from the floor in the first half, which is the best of any half this season.
W&M put the game away with a 10-1 run in just under the first five minute of the second stanza. Boone opened the run with a jumper, followed a three straight points at the line from Rendle, and two from freshman Jenna Green. Following a free throw from CofC, Tremba canned a 3-pointer to end the run.
The Tribe was able to extend its lead to as many as 36 points in the second half. W&M led for nearly the entire contest, holding the advantage for a total of 39:09 of the possible 40 minutes.
After a blistering first half, from the floor W&M was able to keep up the strong shooting, in setting a school record of 61.8-percent from the field. The previous record was 61.4-percent (27-of-44) against Delaware on Jan. 22, 2006.
W&M added its second-best assist day of the season, handing out 25 helpers. Boone led the Tribe with a career-high seven dimes, while Green added four, and Hunter had three.
The Tribe forced Charleston into 19 turnovers on 15 W&M steals. Tremba led the way with five steals, while Hunter chipped in three thefts.
Boone finished the game just outside of double-figures with nine points, while Masaquel chipped in six points and five rebounds. Senior Mackenzie Morrison picked up six points off of the bench, going a perfect 3-of-3 from the field in the game. Freshman Camila Prock, who made her collegiate debut, scored her first collegiate points as well from the charity stripe.
Bolden led the College of Charleston with 11 points and seven boards. Courtney Gardner was also in double figures for the Cougars with 10 points.
The Green and Gold return home for its final two games of the regular season. W&M welcomes Northeastern for Senior Day on Sunday, March 1. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. The College will play host to Towson on March 4 in the regular season finale. Tipoff for that contest is set for 7 p.m.
