The #11 Lady Indians picked up a pair of wins in the Chipola Classic this weekend at the Milton H. Johnson Center over DME Academy and Hillsborough Community College.
Chipola's Ashley Baez had a career-high 40 points on Friday night against DME Academy and followed it with 37 points against FCSAAA preseason #9 Hillsborough on Saturday.
The Lady Indians (2-0) will be back in action this weekend when they host the Veterans Day Classic at The Milt.
Chipola vs. DME Academy, November 4, 2022
The Lady Indians started slow in their opening night matchup with DME Academy, a post graduate program from Daytona, but shook off their nervousness to put away their guests, 89-35.
With just over three minutes remaining in the first quarter, DME held an 8-7 advantage over Chipola but a three-point play by Katilyn Bryant would start a 44-2 run that would last until 6:20 left in the third quarter.
Chipola held DME to just 16 of 47 (34.0 percent) from the floor and 0-for-18 from three-point range. The Lady Indians outrebounded DME, 39-26, and came away with 19 steals.
"I thought our defensive intensity carried us tonight," said Lady Indians' head coach Greg Franklin, "Defense was at a premium tonight and that is something we will have to hang our hat on all year."
Sophomores Kaitlyn Bryant, 16 points, and Brenda McKinney, 13 points, joined Baez in double digits. McKinney picked up a double-double hauling in 12 rebounds, with seven coming on the offensive boards. Baez was 15 of 29 (51.7 percent) from the floor including 8-for-18 from beyond the arc to outscore DME on her own.
Freshman Tahnyjia Purifoy just missed double digits with 8 points in her Chipola debut.
"Obviously, we had some standout performances tonight," said Franklin. "Ashley Baez and Brenda McKinney gave us a lift when we started slow."
Chipola vs. Hillsborough Community College, November 5, 2022
One night after a slow start, Chipola left no doubt in the opening minutes against the Lady Hawks from Hillsborough before cruising 87-54 to move to 2-0.
An Ashley Baez midcourt steal followed by a layup gave Chipola a 13-0 lead with just under three minutes off the clock. The Lady Indians would go on to outscore their opponent, 26-9, in the first quarter.
On consecutive nights, Baez outscored the opponent with 28 in the first half, helping Chipola to a comfortable 51-24 lead at the break.
Brenda McKinney picked up back-to-back double-doubles, tallying 13 points and 13 rebounds against the Lady Hawks.
Sophomores Kaitlyn Bryant and Latifa Amzil joined Baez and McKinney in double digits. Bryant picked up 11 points while bringing in 8 rebounds. Amzil had a career-high 13 points along with 7 rebounds.
Baez just missed a double-double with nine of the Lady Indians' 15 steals.
Coach Franklin was proud of his team's effort on the weekend, "We have had some players step up from last year with only one starter (Bryant) returning from last year."
"This team has matured and accepted responsibility better than any team I've had. They are a fun group to coach."