Lady Barons Go 2-1 in Home Stand

Courtesy of BPCU

The Brewton-Parker Christian University Lady Barons opened the new year with a high-energy home stand at Gillis Gymnasium, securing two dominant conference victories before falling in a hard-fought weekend matchup. The 2-1 stretch moves the Lady Barons to 3-2 in conference play and 4-12 overall. vs. Life

The week began on Jan. 6 with a decisive 73-59 win over the Life University Running Eagles. BPCU took control immediately, using an opening 8-2 run to establish momentum. Contributions from across the lineup helped the Lady Barons build a 19-10 lead by the end of the first quarter and a 33-21 advantage at the break.

The second half saw the Lady Barons extend their dominance, pushing the lead to as many as 28 points in the fourth quarter. While Life University hit some late shots, the gap was insurmountable. Chastity Degale anchored the offense with a double-double, posting 15 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists. Andrian Stewart was a force on defense, recording a team-high three steals and 12 rebounds to go with her 14 points. 'We were really good for the majority of the game,' Head Coach Steve Edwards said. 'Our group has to handle pressure better, and I believe we will be better in that area moving forward.' vs. ABAC

On Jan. 8, the Lady Barons overcame a slow start to defeat the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Fillies 85-69. Trailing 19-15 after the opening period, BPCU flipped the script in the second quarter, outscoring the Fillies 25-9. A Shamiaha Webb layup knotted the game at 19-19 before Ja’Ka’Yah Draughn drilled a 3-pointer with five seconds left in the half, sending the Barons into the locker room up 40-28.

BPCU didn't let up in the second half. Webb pushed the lead to 50-33 with a fastbreak layup, and free throws from Andrian Stewart stretched the margin to a game-high 22 points. Jasmine Leynard sealed the game with a late 3-pointer in the final minute. The Lady Barons controlled the glass throughout, holding a 45-37 rebounding edge.

'Today wasn't our best effort, but we won,' Edwards said. 'We won't ever complain about a win, but we have to be a more consistent team.'

vs. Thomas

The home stand concluded on Jan. 10 with a 7058 loss to the Thomas University Night Hawks. After grabbing a 17-15 lead in the first, BPCU suffered a severe offensive drought in the second quarter, scoring just four points to trail 3121 at halftime.

The Lady Barons rallied in the third behind Andranique Stewart, pouring in 19 points to cut the deficit to 42-40. However, Thomas responded in the fourth with timely perimeter shooting, including a key 3-pointer from Kennedy Collins. The Night Hawks’ active defense forced 20 turnovers and produced 11 steals, disrupting BPCU's rhythm. Stewart finished with a strong double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds, but Thomas's 45.6% shooting proved too much to overcome.

'Today didn't catch me by surprise,' Edwards noted. 'We aren't consistent, and we don't make enough plays when it matters the most.'

The Lady Barons now look to bounce back during a two-game road trip starting Jan. 15 against Faulkner University (Ala.), followed by a matchup with Mobile University.