Eagles Go Cold in Loss to Berea
WILMORE, Ky. – Asbury cut a 19-point second-half deficit to two, but couldn’t pull even in a 71-68 loss at the hands of Berea. The Lady Mountaineers came in with a 4-13 overall record and winless in four Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference games. Asbury falls to 13-7 overall and 3-3 in the KIAC with the loss.
Despite 28 points from Trenia Barbee the Eagles were unable to overcome the deep second-half deficit. The Eagles cut the margin down to two on four separate occasions inside the final three minutes but could never make the game-tying shot. Barbee twice hit three-pointers to cut the Berea lead to two including with seven seconds left but after Erika Parks made one-of-two free throws a half-court heave came up short.
Barbee scored 16 of her game-high 28 in the second half. The senior finished 8-of-19 from the floor, 2-of-7 from three-point range and 10-of-14 from the free throw line. She added eight rebounds and two steals. Laura Carroll also reached double digits with 16 points on 6-of-14 shooting. The Eagles shot a season-low 32-percent (22-of-69) from the floor and just 65-percent (18-of-28) from the free throw line.
Berea’s balanced attack saw four players reach double figures with Erika Parks leading the way with 13 points. Berea shot 48-percent (24-of-50) from the floor. Asbury forced 24 turnovers and pulled down 20 offensive rebounds but were unable to overcome a poor shooting night. The Eagles outrebounded Berea 43-42, led by Lakin Griffith’s 12. Berea’s Kaitlynne Smith led Berea with a double-double, 11 points and 14 rebounds.
Asbury and Berea will meet again in Berea on February 5. Asbury’s next game will come at Indiana Southeast on Saturday at 6 pm. The Grenaiders are off to a slow start in league play this year, currently sitting in sixth place at 3-4 after a 71-64 loss to Midway on Tuesday night. IUS is 10-8 overall.
