HIGH POINT, N.C. (Interstat) — A dominant second-quarter surge propelled the High Point Panthers to a decisive victory over the Merrimack Warriors in a non-conference women’s basketball matchup Wednesday night at Qubein Arena.

The Panthers, improving to a perfect 3-0 on the young season, used a 31-point explosion in the second period to overcome a slow start and ultimately defeat the Warriors 82-69 before an announced crowd of 738.

High Point’s game-changing run transformed a four-point deficit after the first quarter into a commanding 42-28 halftime lead. The Panthers’ offense found its rhythm after a sluggish opening period, while their defense intensified, creating turnovers and converting them into easy baskets.

Aaliyah Collins led all scorers for High Point, finishing with 21 points. The 5-foot-6 guard from Snohomish, Washington, also contributed four steals and three assists in 30 minutes of action, providing a crucial spark on both ends of the floor.

The Panthers’ offense was characterized by ball movement and efficiency near the basket. They dished out 16 assists as a team and scored 52 points in the paint, capitalizing on their size and speed advantages. Chana Paxixe of Beira, Mozambique, filled the stat sheet with 11 points, seven rebounds, and a team-high six assists. Peyton Gerdes added 14 points for the Panthers.

Defensively, High Point was relentless, amassing 16 steals and forcing Merrimack into 26 total turnovers. The Panthers converted those Warrior mistakes into 24 points, a key differential in the final outcome.

Merrimack, which fell to 1-2 with the loss, was led by a strong performance from Lydia Melashenko. The guard from Ottawa, Canada, poured in 21 points, including five three-pointers. Mia Fiore of Narragansett, Rhode Island, added 14 points and eight rebounds, while Madison Roman of Fairfield, Connecticut, posted a well-rounded line of 13 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks.

The Warriors started the game with purpose, building a 15-11 lead after the first quarter behind aggressive defense and efficient free-throw shooting. However, the game flipped dramatically in the second period as High Point’s pressure defense overwhelmed Merrimack’s ball handlers, leading to a series of transition opportunities.

Despite the lopsided middle quarters, Merrimack showed resilience in the final period, outscoring High Point 29-17. The Warriors mounted a late push, cutting the deficit to single digits at times, but could never fully close the gap established by the Panthers’ explosive second quarter.

The statistical profile underscored the game’s narrative. High Point’s superior ball security, with only 14 turnovers compared to Merrimack’s 26, and their dominance in the paint were the foundational elements of the victory. The Panthers also held a significant advantage in assists, 16 to 5, illustrating a more cohesive offensive performance.

High Point will look to maintain its unbeaten record when it hosts East Carolina on Sunday. Merrimack, seeking to return to the .500 mark, will face Northeastern at home on Saturday.