BREVARD, N.C. - The Brevard College women's basketball team (8-2, 4-1 USA South) cruised past Mary Baldwin University (2-10, 1-4 USAS) 82-53 in the first contest of the 2024 calendar year for the Tornados on Wednesday afternoon at the Boshamer Gymnasium. 
 
Josie Hester led the way for four double-digit scorers with 15 points by way of six field goals and three made 3-pointers, while the junior also tallied five rebounds. Kennedie Noble added a career-high 11 points on a perfect 5-of-5 mark from the field and a made 3-pointer. Naliyah Boyce and Makenna Parkins each scored 10 points, with Parkins adding a game-best five blocked shots. All told, 11 different Tornados scored buckets in the game, as Brevard outshot Mary Baldwin 50% to 29% from the field. 
 
Brevard's defense forced a total of 27 Fighting Squirrel turnovers and scored 26 points off turnovers, led by Olivia Miller's four steals. BC's bench also outscored MBU's 36-6. A big first half for the Tornados lifted the hosts to victory, as Brevard held a 49-26 first-half edge en route to the 29-point win. 
 
MBU's Aryauna Brent led the Fighting Squirrels with 19 points, and A'Cetta Farrait added 18 for Mary Baldwin's offensive efforts. 
 
The Tornados will be back in action on Saturday at 2 p.m. when Brevard takes on Methodist University in Fayetteville, North Carolina. 
 
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-BC-