BELMONT, N.C. - Fifth-ranked Lander shot 62.9% from the field Friday night, as the Bearcats dominated Johnson C. Smith 99-79 in their opening game of the Belmont Classic.  

The Bearcats started hot, scoring the first six points of the game, thanks to two layups by Makaila Cangé and two free throws by Zamiya Passmore. Lander would lead by as many as 13 in the first period and take a 32-21 lead into the second quarter.  

A three-point basket by Vashae Rideout with 8:15 remaining in the half gave the Bearcats their largest lead of the game up to that point at 39-25. The Golden Bulls would slowly battle back and cut the deficit to 45-41 with just under three minutes to go in the half. However, a layup by Cangé at the end of the half capped a 10-2 run for Lander and gave them a 55-43 lead.  

In the third quarter, Lander would start to pull away from Johnson C. Smith, leading by as many as 24 points and cruising to the 20-point win.   

The Bearcats had five players in double figures, led by Cangé, who scored a game-high 29 points and pulled down 12 rebounds for her fifth straight double-double. Aniya Jester scored 16 points, and Passmore added 15. Jakiyah Parker finished with 12 points, and Rideout scored a career-high 10 points. Lander dominated in the paint, outscoring the Golden Bulls 62-34.  

#cLawsUp | @LanderWBB