GREENWOOD, S.C. - Makaila Cange and Zamiya Passmore scored 22 points apiece as the No. 5-ranked Lander Bearcats shook off a slow start and beat non-conference opponent Tusculum 84-56 Saturday afternoon at Horne Arena.

Lander earned its fifth consecutive victory, improving to 7-1 on the season. The Bearcats are averaging 89 points per game during the win streak while beating their opponents by an average of 30.6 points per contest.

The Pioneers fell to 3-7.

Jakiyah Parker added 12 points for Lander while grabbing eight rebounds. Sarah Crews contributed 11 points while pacing the Blue and Gold with eight assists. Miriam Recarte added eight points and five assists while leading the Bearcats with nine rebounds. Cange also had eight rebounds.

Mya Belton led Tusculum with 12 points while Deidre Cheremond added 11 points while leading the Pioneers with nine boards. Former Lander player Natalia Crooke had one 3-pointer for Tusculum.

Lander had a big edge at the free-throw line, making 22 of 31 (71 percent) as compared to 5 for 11 (46 percent) for Tusculum.

The Bearcats started the game ice cold, making only two of its first 14 shots from the floor. But Lander hit four of its last six in the opening quarter to lead 16-14 going into the second period. Recarte's layup with 44 seconds to go put the Blue and Gold on top.

Tusculum's Jordan Rogers turned a steal into a layup to complete a 7-0 run as the visitors led 21-18 with 8:11 left in the half. Lander coach Kevin Pederson called a timeout and the team responded in a big way, scoring 11 unanswered points to take the lead for good. Crews had a basket inside and a 3-pointer while Passmore, Parker and Cange also scored as the Bearcats regained the lead at 29-21.

Parker's transition layup on a crossover move gave Lander its first double-digit lead at 34-24 with 3:30 left. Passmore's 3-pointer from the left side with 23 seconds to go gave the Bearcats a 39-29 advantage at the break as they ended the half on an 21-8 run.

Parker's 3-pointer from the right side gave the Blue and Gold a 46-31 lead with 6:24 left in the third. 

With 5:11 left in the third quarter and Lander up 48-34, a Pioneer hit her head on the floor and after a delay of approximately 25 minutes she was removed on a stretcher.

Tusculum's Lexi Patty scored the first points after the delay on an open layup, but the Bearcats tallied the next 11 to take control of the game. Cange and Recarte scored in the paint, Cange hit an open 3-pointer from the top of the key, Parker made a layup in transition and Crews knocked down a mid-range jumper for a 59-36 lead with 1:24 left in the third.

Lander led 61-40 going into the final quarter.

The Bearcat lead continued to grow as Passmore swished a 3-pointer from near the top of the key and then added a pair of free throws for a 72-46 advantage at the 6:29 mark.

Vashae Rideout's 3-pointer gave the Blue and Gold an 82-54 advantage with one minute left.

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