ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Interstat) — In a game defined by defensive struggle and a dramatic fourth-quarter reversal, the High Point Panthers escaped Kimmel Arena with a 60-55 victory over the UNC Asheville Bulldogs in a Big South Conference women’s basketball matchup Wednesday night.

The contest, played before an announced crowd of 486, was a tale of two halves, or more precisely, a tale of one dominant quarter for each team. UNC Asheville controlled the opening period, racing to a 19-10 lead behind an aggressive start from Journee McDaniel and Nia Green. The Bulldogs extended their advantage in the second quarter, holding High Point to just 15 points while managing only five themselves, taking a 24-25 lead into halftime in a low-scoring affair.

The third quarter offered little offensive rhythm for either side, with High Point edging it 11-10 to trim the deficit to four points heading into the final frame. That set the stage for a frantic fourth quarter where the game’s narrative completely flipped.

High Point, which had struggled to find consistent offense through three quarters, erupted for 24 points in the final period. The Panthers’ surge was fueled by Peyton Gerdes, who scored 12 of her team-high 20 points in the quarter. Her driving layup with just under 30 seconds remaining gave High Point a 58-53 cushion, a critical score that ultimately sealed the game.

UNC Asheville, which led for over 35 minutes of game time, saw its offense falter under increased defensive pressure down the stretch. Despite a valiant effort from McDaniel, who finished with 20 points, and Green, who added 16 points and a game-high 16 rebounds, the Bulldogs could not sustain their early momentum. They shot just 30.3% from the field for the game and committed 18 turnovers, which High Point converted into 21 points.

The most important part of the game was High Point’s defensive lockdown in the second quarter, which kept them within striking distance despite their own offensive woes, followed by their explosive fourth-quarter offensive execution. After scoring a combined 36 points through the first three quarters, the Panthers nearly matched that output in the final 10 minutes alone. Key plays included a Gerdes three-pointer early in the fourth that signaled the shift in momentum, and a series of clutch free throws from Macy Spencer and Nevaeh Zavala in the final minute to ice the game.

Spencer, who played all 40 minutes, added 12 points and six assists for High Point. Chana Paxixe contributed nine points and five assists. For UNC Asheville, Jamaria Freeman scored 15 points and dished out five assists.

Statistically, the game was a study in contrasting efficiencies. High Point scored 60 points on just 69 possessions for an offensive rating of 86.4, while UNC Asheville managed 55 points on 74 possessions, a rating of 74.1. The Panthers’ ability to score more efficiently, despite being out-rebounded 16-4 on the offensive glass, proved decisive. High Point also dominated points in the paint, 34-22, and capitalized on turnovers.

With the win, High Point improves to 23-4 overall and solidifies its position atop the Big South. UNC Asheville falls to 10-17. The Panthers will travel to face Gardner-Webb on Saturday. UNC Asheville is scheduled to host Presbyterian on Saturday.