ASHEVILLE, N.C. – A career day from junior Jordan Frazier and an explosive second-half performance from classmate Chanel Stokes propelled the Terriers to a 70-52 road victory over the Bulldogs of UNC Asheville on Saturday afternoon in Kimmel Arena.
Frazier scored a career-best 28 points, helping lead Wofford (2-5) to the win over UNC Asheville (2-5). Frazier was 9-of-16 from the field and tied a career-best 4 3-point field goals, while also sinking all six of her free throw opportunities of the game.
Stokes played a large role in the win as well. With a second-half scoring outburst, Stokes scored 17 of her 19 points. The Cincinnati native shot 7-of-11 from the field, slashing and cutting in the paint to score 14 points while adding 5 more from the charity stripe.
The Wofford win was the program's 300th game under the direction of head coach Edgar I. Farmer, Jr.
"The past two games we had really strong stretches but couldn't find a way to close out," said Farmer. "We knew that we needed the same intensity coming into today's matchup, yet we also needed to focus on closing the game out. I think we did an outstanding job weathering runs and responding with runs of our own. We did a great job on defense the second half holding them to only 26.7 percent shooting. Our defense combined with focusing on getting easy baskets at the free throw line and making timely stops is what gave us the edge.
"Today was a fantastic team effort."
The win over UNC Asheville is the Terrier's third straight win in the series.
Frazier and Stokes accounted for roughly two-thirds of the Terriers' points, combining for 47 of the total 70. The duo held their own on the defensive end as well, each recording 5 steals – tying a season-high for Frazier and a new career-best for Stokes. Fellow starters Lauren Kirby (2-4 FG, 3-5 FT) and Ashton Fleming (3-9 FG, 1-1 FT) added seven points apiece, while Kentra Washington led the team in total rebounds with seven.
UNC Asheville had three players score in double figures despite a season-low 33.9 percent shooting from the field. Bronaza Fitzgerald led the Bulldogs' scoring efforts with 14 points (6-8 FG, 2-6 FT), while Brittany Gwyn netted 11 (4-7 FG, 3-4 FT). Tianna Knuckles added 13 bench points, but the trio couldn't will the Bulldogs to victory.
Wofford outrebounded its opponent for the third time this year, grabbing 43 rebounds to UNC Asheville's 36. Wofford took away the game capitalizing on forced turnovers and making smart outlet passes to earn a whopping 26-2 margin on fast break points in the contest. Wofford also corrected free throw troubles from the game before, converting on 74.1 of their opportunities from the line – compared to just 44.4 percent in the previous outing.
Frazier carried the Terriers throughout the first half, responding when the team needed her most. The game opened with a quick score from Shonese Jones just five seconds in, before Frazier dropped six straight points. The Norcross, Ga. native refused to slow down as the Terriers' lead grew to as many as 13 in the first half. Wofford led, 26-13, with 8:32 left in the first 20 minutes following another 3-pointer from Frazier and a pair of Maria Corella free throws. The Terriers let the lead slip, entering the locker room by only three, 34-31. At the break Frazier led all scorers with 16 points, but had little support, with Kirby and Fleming scoring a team second and third-best, six and five respectively.
A jumper from Knuckles brought the game within a point with 16:50 remaining, but the Bulldogs would never lead. The Terriers outscored the Bulldogs 33-16 in the remaining action. The team clicked, with the best example of their collective play happening during a minute span beginning at the 11:47 mark. Over the course of the minute, Wofford went on a 6-0 run, with two scores a result of steals being taken coast-to-coast for easy layups by Frazier and Stokes.
The Terriers will look to continue their winning ways in a week, returning home to the confines of the Benjamin Johnson Arena where they take on NAIA foe Montreat College. Tipoff is set for Saturday the 13th at 2:00 p.m.
