GIRLS' BASKETBALL: Saints dominate Golden Falcons

By Justin Hayes
Published in Sports on December 17, 2016 11:25 PM

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DUDLEY -- Samiya Bess scored a game-high 33 points and a swarming Saint defense forced 24 turnovers as Southern Wayne upended Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference and county rival Charles B. Aycock, 71-38, on Friday evening.

Bess began her march through the scorebook in the opening quarter, operating fluidly along the baseline and in the paint to register a quick five points. The sophomore also helmed a roaming defensive attack that disrupted Aycock's guard play and forced turnovers in the stanza.

As starts go, it was exactly what Southern Wayne needed.

"We always talk about coming out strong and not waiting," Saints assistant coach Takisha Vann noted. "Sometimes, we tend to be a second-half team... the last three games, we've been working on that."

That work continued in the second quarter, when the red-and-blue held Aycock to just three made field goals. Bess again plied her wares in the three-second area, registering nine punishing points and helping Southern Wayne forge a 34-17 halftime advantage.

Turnovers, more handywork by Bess and a brisk pace defined the second half, one that witnessed the Saint advantage increase to 24 after three quarters and settle on 33 as the margin of victory.

Kiara Wallace netted 14 points in a solid outing for the Saints, and was joined by Iyahna Bess, who filed six points. Rickeal McCullen and Nadia Chesnutt added five points apiece.

Aycock was led by Alexis Edmundson and Mookie Powell, who each scored 11 points. Cassandra Lassiter scored 10 points, with each of her field goals coming from beyond the arc.

Southern Wayne (6-5 overall, 1-1 ECC) travels to J.H. Rose on Monday, while Aycock (6-3, 0-2) travels to Princeton for a holiday tournament.