Misenheimer, N.C. (Nov. 12, 2024) --The Pfeiffer University women's basketball team went into the half beating Guilford 45-35, but could not pull away in the second half and fell 85-77 to the Quakers at home in Merner Gym on Tuesday evening.
The Falcons (0-2) had four players score in double figures, led by sophomore Lola Cabaniss-Ali, who put together a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Freshman Ava , Hairston added 15 points and seven rebounds from the bench while senior Kenadie Hudler helped out with 15 points, all on three-pointers, and added three steals.
Pfeiffer took advantage of excellent ball movement in Tuesday's game, piling up 23 assists on 29 made field goals. Individually, junior Hannah Isley led the way for the Falcons with nine assists and senior Alexis Bynum also added four assists of her own.
The Pfeiffer defense held Guilford shooters to only 37.8 percent from the field.
How It Happened
After falling behind 8-7, Pfeiffer went on a 9-0 run with 6:40 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Hairston, to take a 16-8 lead. The Falcons then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 20-19 advantage. Pfeiffer did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 10 of its 20 points close to the basket.
Pfeiffer kept its first quarter lead intact before going on a 7-0 run starting at the 9:27 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Bynum, to increase its lead to 27-19. The Falcons proceeded to tack on two points to that lead and enjoyed a 45-35 advantage heading into halftime. Pfeiffer forced six Guilford turnovers in the period and turned them into nine points.
Pfeiffer continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on a 5-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Cabaniss-Ali, to expand its lead further to 51-37 with 8:44 to go in the third. Guilford responded to seize a 61-60 lead entering the fourth quarter. Pfeiffer knocked down two three-pointers in the quarter to score six of its 15 total points.
Guilford kept widening its lead in the fourth, constructing a 77-72 advantage before Pfeiffer went on a 5-0 run, finished off by Hudler's three, to even the score at 77 all with 1:36 to go in the contest. The Falcons could not turn their rally into a victory, as the Quakers outscored them 8-0 the rest of the way to hand Pfeiffer the 85-77 loss. Pfeiffer fired away from deep in the quarter, knocking down four shots to account for 12 of its 17 points.
Game Notes
» Lola Cabaniss-Ali notched a double-double for the Falcons with 16 points and 13 rebounds.
» The Falcons shot well from three point range, knocking down 10 of 21 long range attempts.
» The Falcons held the Quakers to only 37.8 percent shooting from the field.
» The Falcons shared the ball well, recording an assist on 79 percent of made baskets.
» The Pfeiffer bench came alive by adding 24 points to its scoring output.
» Pfeiffer lost despite a 45-44 rebounding advantage.
» The Pfeiffer defense forced 20 turnovers.
» The Falcons were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, tallying five blocks as a team.
» Pfeiffer cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 18 offensive boards in the game.
» Lola Cabaniss-Ali led the Falcons with 16 points.
» Pfeiffer got a team-high 13 rebounds from Lola Cabaniss-Ali.
Next Game
Pfeiffer will embark on their first road trip on the season on Friday, Nov. 15, traveling to Virginia Beach, Va. to take on Regent University at 5:00 p.m.
