HIGH POINT, N.C. (Interstat) — The High Point Panthers used a dominant defensive performance and a balanced scoring attack to cruise past the Presbyterian Blue Hose 70-41 in a Big South Conference women’s basketball game Sunday at Qubein Arena.

The Panthers, who entered the game with one of the nation’s top defenses, lived up to that billing by holding the Blue Hose to a season-low in points. Presbyterian managed just 17 field goals on 52 attempts, a frigid 32.7 percent from the floor, and connected on only one of its 13 attempts from three-point range. The offensive struggles were encapsulated by an offensive rating of 53.1 points per 100 possessions.

High Point, meanwhile, steadily built its lead despite a sloppy game that featured 49 combined turnovers. The Panthers shot 44.9 percent from the field and were more efficient from deep, hitting nine three-pointers. They also capitalized at the free-throw line, making 17 of 23 attempts compared to Presbyterian’s 6-for-13 showing.

The most important sequence of the game came early in the third quarter, effectively extinguishing any hope of a Presbyterian rally. Leading 29-23 at halftime, the Panthers opened the second half with a decisive 10-2 run. Macy Spencer, who led all scorers with 18 points, ignited the surge with a layup and then buried a three-pointer off an assist from Brecken Snotherly. After a Presbyterian turnover, Spencer struck again from beyond the arc, this time assisted by Anna Hager, pushing the High Point lead to 39-25 and forcing a Blue Hose timeout just over two minutes into the period.

That burst set the tone for the remainder of the game, as the Panthers’ lead never dipped below double digits again. The Blue Hose, who scored just 18 points in the entire second half, could not mount a response against High Point’s swarming defense, which recorded 14 steals and nine blocks.

Hager, a sophomore from Sweden, provided a major interior presence for High Point with 14 points, four rebounds and three blocks. Dom Nesland added 13 points, while Chana Paxixe contributed nine points, six rebounds and two assists off the bench.

For Presbyterian, Aminata Tal was the lone bright spot, scoring a team-high 14 points to go along with four rebounds and four steals. Ore Ogunwolere added eight points, and Krystal Haddock grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds. The Blue Hose were hampered by 24 turnovers, which High Point converted into 24 points.

The victory improved High Point’s record to 20-2 overall and solidified its position atop the Big South Conference. The Panthers have now won nine consecutive games. Presbyterian fell to 3-19 with the loss, its seventh in a row.

The game was a rematch of a Jan. 7 meeting in Clinton, South Carolina, which High Point won 76-43. The statistical projection system from Interstat gave the Panthers a 99.2 percent probability to win Sunday’s contest, a forecast borne out by the lopsided result.

High Point’s defense was the story from the opening tip. The Panthers contested nearly every shot, with Hager and reserve post player Peyton Gerdes (three blocks) altering numerous attempts in the paint. Presbyterian’s guards faced constant pressure, leading to rushed shots and a 1-for-13 performance from three-point territory.

While not always crisp offensively themselves, the Panthers did enough, sharing the ball for 14 assists and finding timely scoring from multiple sources. Spencer’s outside shooting and Hager’s inside play proved too much for the overmatched Blue Hose.

The Panthers will look to extend their winning streak when they travel to face Winthrop on Wednesday. Presbyterian returns home to host South Carolina Upstate, also on Wednesday.