Pittsburgh, Pa. – After having over two weeks off to celebrate the holidays with their families, the Midway University women's basketball team returned to action on Friday when they traveled to Point Park (Pa.) for their first game in the New Year.
The Eagles were able to ring in the New Year on a high note as they pulled off the upset and defeated the Pioneers, 76-53. In the latest NAIA DII polls, the Pioneers sat just outside the top-25 as they were receiving 28 total voting points.
"Tonight was a great step forward for this team," said head coach, John Kenger. "The girls have been working well together, trusting each other and buying into the 'we' before 'me' mentality."
The Eagles (12-5, 3-2 RSC) didn't get off to the start that they were hoping for after they trailed 12-11 after the opening 10 minutes, but things would change in the second period.
Junior guard, Jaylin Jones (Russellville, Ky.) drained a triple from the corner that would give Midway a 14-12 lead that they wouldn't relinquish. Jones' trey ignited what turned out to be 13-2 run that would give Midway a 10 point edge at 24-14. Freshman, Madison Jones (Union, Ky.) also provided a spark in the run when she nailed a pair of triples in the run.
Jones knocked down her third triple just a few seconds later that would stretch Midway's lead to its largest in the first half at 32-19. Jones and Patrice Tonge (Lebanon, Ky.) each scored 13 in the first half to give Midway a 35-27 lead at intermission.
The Pioneers (14-4, 4-1 RSC) came out firing in the second half as they cut the deficit to six on two separate occasions, but on the second time, the Eagles responded with a run of their own. Midway rattled off nine unanswered to expand the lead back out to 13, 46-33.
After taking a 60-40 advantage into the fourth and final period, the Eagles continued to pad the lead in the final stanza. The visitors led by as many as 26 in the final frame as they walked away with the 76-53 win.
The Patrice Tonge and Madison Jones lead the way for the Eagles. Tonge collected her second double-double of the season with 22 points to go along with 12 boards, while Jones finished with 17 points off the bench.
Coach Kenger took note of the duos performance saying, "We had some big performances from Patrice [Tonge] and Madison [Jones], they really ignited the fire tonight."
Freshman, Timitryi Patterson (Bowling Green, Ky.) and Senior, Breanna Ball (Dayton, Ohio) also came up big by pitching in with 10 points apiece. Patterson and Ball helped Midway dominate the rebounding battle, 55-27, by grabbing nine and seven rebounds, respectively.
Neither team shot the lights out, but Midway held the upper hand shooting 43.1 percent from the field (28-65), while going 8-of-24 from long range for 33.3 percent. The Eagles' defense held the Pioneers to 30 percent from the floor (18-60) and 25 percent from distance (5-20).
Midway will stay the night in Pittsburg, Pa. as they will wrap up their two-game road swing on Saturday, December 7, when they take on Carlow (Pa.) at 2 p.m. ET.
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