Katie Paschal scored a career high 35 points in the victory against Bluefield State in the final day of the Tars Holiday Classic in Winter Park, Fla as the Mount Olive College Trojans defeated the Bluefield State Lady Blues 89-43. Paschal's 35 points are tied for third highest in Mount Olive women's basketball history. She tied 2013 MOC Athletics Hall of Fame inductee Tangela Grant (Faulkner), who scored 35 points February 26, 1997 against Belmont Abbey.
Ty Wallace scored her first career double-double posting ten points and ten rebounds. Jasmine McDonald was also close to her second career triple-double as she had nine points, ten assists, and eight rebounds.
The first ten minutes would see a close battle as both Mount Olive (6-3) and Bluefield State (2-11) traded baskets and the lead did not grow above seven for the Trojans.
Mount Olive started the first half by only giving up the lead once as their lead eventually grew to as large as 24 and did not fall below two.
At 5:53 a layup by Kirksten Mitchell began a 19-0 run that lasted 4:27 as Paschal scored nine of her 35 points in this span.
Shae Mebane's bucket with 1:26 left stopped the Mount Olive offensive attack as the Trojans led 43-21.
A jumper by Jenaya Abernathy would be the final points scored in the opening half as the Trojans took the 21 point lead into the break.
In the second half, Paschal would make history. When she drove to the lane with 16:11 on the clock a layup would fall and give Paschal point No. 25; at that point it marked her career high.
Another Trojan was on their way to a career night as Wallace made two free throws with 5:17 to go in the game, but still needed one more rebound.
Wallace got her chance as she went up a grabbed rebound No. ten with 4:02.
Paschal was fouled with 1:54 remaining and went to the line where she made both of her free throws bringing her total points to 35. This gave Paschal a mark to be shared with only three other Mount Olive women's basketball players.
Paschal became the second Trojan in three games to score more than 30 points in a game. Joneiqua Gary scored 32 December 8 vs. Virginia Union. Prior to Gary's total, no player had scored 30 or more points in five years.
The Trojans went 34-for-59 from the field. For Paschal, she was 13-for-17 from the field, with 35 points and five rebounds. Gary had 14 points with five steals. Mitchell had nine points and four rebounds. Leah Graham also had eight points.
For Bluefield State, their leading scorer was Tasia Nolan with 12 points. Mebane also finished with 10 points.
Mount Olive improves to 6-3 on the year and will stay idle until they travel to play Division I Elon University on Sunday, December 22 in an Exhibition game Tip-off is set for 2pm.