HICKORY, N.C. - In a battle of top-23 teams, third-ranked Lander pulled away from 21st-ranked Carson-Newman 84-72 Saturday night.

The Bearcats came out on fire, shooting 66.7% from the field and 75% behind the arc to take a 31-23 lead after the first period. 

In the second quarter, the Eagles hit a three-pointer out of the gate to make it a five-point game. Makaila Cangé and Miriam Recarte each hit two free throws, and Sarah Crews frained a three to extend the Lander lead to 12 points. Carson-Newman would battle back and cut the deficit to 50-42 at the half.  

The Eagles continued to keep the game close throughout the third quarter but continued to trail by eight, heading to the final period.  

A jumper by the Eagles just under a minute into the fourth quarter made it 69-62. However, that would be as close as Carson-Newman would get. A layup by Zamiya Passmore and another three-pointer by Crews stretched the Bearcat lead to 12. Lander would lead by as many as 16 points as they held on for the season-opening win.  

The Bearcats had five players score in double figures, led by Passmore, who scored a game-high 21 points and had nine rebounds. Cangé finished with 20 points and ten rebounds, while Amiaya Melvins added 12 points. Crews and Recarte each scored 11 points in the win. The Bearcats finished the game shooting 50.9% from the field while holding the Eagles to 40.6% shooting.  

#cLawsUp | @LanderWBB