Sports > November 6, 2008

By Joe Maugeri | Staff writer

In its first exhibition game of the season, the women’s basketball team defeated the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears 76-48 on Nov. 3 at the LJVM Coliseum. The starting five for the Deacons included seniors Alex Tchangoue and Corrine Groves, junior Tiffany Roulhac, and sophomores Brittany Waters and Camille Collier.

The exhibition game allowed for each player on the Deacon roster to see time during the contest.

The women’s basketball team was led in scoring by Groves, who scored 21 points in the exhibition matchup. Groves also posted five rebounds in the contest.

Tchangoue added 16 points for the Deacons and was also able to pull in three rebounds on the night.

Freshmen Brooke Thomas and Secily Ray made their collegiate basketball debuts against Lenoir-Rhyne.

Ray, who was the first player to come off of the Deacon bench, came into the game for Collier.

Ray logged 17 minutes of playing time while also scoring three points and hauling in two rebounds for the women’s basketball team.

Thomas entered the game in the 14th minute of play, coming in for Roulhac. Once Thomas came onto the floor, she was able to display her speed, quickness and shooting ability by scoring six points during her first nine minutes in the game.

Thomas would finish the night with 10 points.

Junior Courteney Morris came in to replace Collier and played for 17 minutes.

Morris contributed to the Deacon victory by adding three points and two rebounds.

Junior Jessie Cain came off of the bench to see 14 minutes of playing time in the exhibition against Lenoir-Rhyne. Cain also pulled in two rebounds during her time on the floor.

The Lenoir-Rhyne Bears were led by sophomore LaCourtney Rann, who scored a team-high 14 points. Junior Denise Moore led the Bears in rebounds, pulling in nine.

This exhibition game against Lenoir-Rhyne was the first game in a pair of exhibition competitions that will preface the women’s basketball team’s regular season.

The Deacons will play Indiana University of Pennsylvania in their second exhibition.

The women’s basketball team will kick off its regular season when it hosts UNC-Greensboro at home on Nov. 17 at the LJVM Coliseum.

This will be the first time that the Deacons have faced UNC-Greensboro since 2005 when the women’s basketball team fell to the Spartans 70-64.

After the UNC-Greensboro game the Deacons will host Appalachian State Nov. 21 followed by Winston-Salem State Nov. 24 before traveling to Charlotte for their first road game. The Deacons will open the ACC season on Jan. 8 when they travel to Maryland.