Strong First Half Lifts Falcons Over Apprentice School

MISENHEIMER, N.C. (Jan. 28,2026) — Pfeiffer University used a dominant first half and a career night from sophomore Ava Hairston to roll past the Apprentice School 73–56 on Wednesday evening at Merner Gym.

Hairston led all scorers with 24 points on 8-for-13 shooting, including a pair of 3-pointers, as the Falcons picked up their 10th win of the season. She added two rebounds, two steals and two assists in just 25 minutes. Hairston's 24 points ties her career high, previously posted against Salem College on Nov. 25, 2025.

Pfeiffer surged ahead early, building a 25–10 lead after the first quarter behind 13 bench points and eight fast-break points. The Falcons repeated that 25-point effort in the second quarter, stretching their lead to 50–28 at halftime. Their defensive pressure fueled the break throughout the night, forcing 28 Apprentice turnovers that turned into 26 points the other way.
Miya Horton added 12 points, five steals and three assists for Pfeiffer, while Nyree Bell and Lettie Michael each chipped in 10 and eight points, respectively. The Falcons' bench contributed 29 points overall, and the team racked up 19 steals.

Cornasia Lamberson kept the Builders (0–3) afloat with a double-double, finishing with 19 points and 16 rebounds — 12 of them on the offensive glass. Ronnice Berry added 10 points and nine rebounds but went 3-for-20 from the field. Joy Wright scored nine points and grabbed six boards.

Apprentice outscored Pfeiffer 18–8 in the third quarter, briefly cutting the deficit to single digits early in the second half, but the Falcons regained control in the fourth behind six quick points from Hairston to close out the win.

Pfeiffer shot 43% from the floor and went 17-of-24 at the foul line, while the Builders struggled at 33% overall and just 1-for-13 from three-point range.

The Falcons are scheduled to return to play with a Feb. 3 USA South road trip to Brevard College.