Box Score

MISENHEIMER, N.C. - Visiting Mount Olive College would have the last shot with 1.3 seconds left as a heave by Tamara Nesmith (Richmond, VA) sailed just wide as Pfeiffer University held on for a narrow 62-61 victory in Conference Carolinas women's basketball action on Wednesday night. A midseason showdown between two of the league's top teams saw the Lady Falcons move to 10-2 overall, 5-2 in conference play while the Trojans fell to 10-3, 6-3.

From the opening tip to the final buzzer, both teams went back-and-forth all night long with eight lead changes and a tied score on eight other occasions on Wednesday. Tied for the final time at 59-59 with 3:47 to play, Pfeiffer senior Kellie Rhoney (Catawba, NC) hit a three that would provide the final points needed to escape with a win. A Jasmine McDonald (Lorton, VA) layup slice the Lady Falcon lead down to one with 49 seconds left resulting in the eventual 62-61 final.

Earlier in the first half, Mount Olive would take their largest lead of the night at 13 with 6:50 to play on a Nesmith jumper before Pfeiffer put together a strong rally to close out the half. A three by Brittany Cox (Winston-Salem, NC) started a 14-1 to close out the half with a knotted contest at 30-30. Jodie Lemons (Madison, NC), Christina Harvey (Locust Grove, VA) and Harvey would each have crucial baskets in the run while a pair of Caressa Samuel (Elgin, SC) free throws put the hosts up one with 60 seconds left. McDonald would hit a shot from the charity stripe 19 seconds later to account for the Trojans lone point over the final 6:50.

In the second half, a Carter Williams (Harrisonburg, VA) three would break a 39-39 tie with 16:39 left in regulation as Mount Olive would then turn around and roll out on a 11-0 run to grab an eight-point lead. Nesmith would tally six of those 11 points to pace Mount Olive. Another Cox triple would help get the Lady Falcons back in it until a Harvey layup with 6:33 to play erase the final deficit.

Cox led all scorers on the night with 24 points on 9-of-13 shooting from the floor including six three-pointers. Harvey followed with 14 while Rhoney added 10 in the win. Pfeiffer would shoot 45% from the field and 48% from behind the arc with 10 threes. Nesmith led the Trojans with her 20 on the night while McDonald posted the double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

Pfeiffer will remain at home this Saturday as North Greenville enters the Merner Gym for a 2:00 p.m. tipoff. Live stats and video will be available courtesy of http://www.gofalconsports.com.