Rock Hill, S.C. - The Clinton College Golden Bears claimed their first victory of the season on Saturday and the first under Head Coach Marcus Hunt with a gritty 58–43 win over SC Central Christian inside J.W. Martin Gymnasium.
After a slow first half, the Golden Bears found their rhythm in the third quarter, outscoring the Crusaders 22–15 to break open what had been a defensive battle. Clinton dominated the paint, outrebounding SC Central Christian 62–44, showing their strength and commitment on the boards. In addition to rebounding, the Golden Bears outscored the Crusaders 44–18 in the paint.
Junior forward Alesha Canady led the charge with a career-high and commanding 22-point, 10-rebound double-double, shooting an efficient 11-of-14 from the field. Forward Zora Hill added 9 points and 6 rebounds, while Emory Smith provided a strong spark off the bench with 8 points and 8 boards.
Clinton's depth played a key role, with the bench contributing 27 points on the day. The Golden Bears also capitalized on second-chance opportunities, turning hustle plays into 18 points off offensive rebounds.
The win marks a milestone moment for Coach Hunt, capturing his first victory as a Head Coach, "I'm proud of my team. We have spent a lot of time working on rebounding and feeding the paint. It was amazing to see them follow the game plan and dominate the glass. I am truly thankful to get my first win as the head coach of the Clinton College Women's basketball program. I could not have asked for a better group of young ladies to coach." – Head Coach Marcus Hunt Jr.
NOTEWORTHY:
- The Golden Bears combined for 15 assists
- The Golden Bears protected the paint with 12 blocks on the day
- Alesha Canady recorded her first double-double of the season
ON THE HORIZON:
The Golden Bears next take the floor this Wednesday, November 12th against Barber Scotia College (NC) at 5:00 PM