NASHVILLE, Tenn.– The ninth-ranked Drury Lady Panthers forced 38 turnovers and held Trevecca Nazarene to 31 percent shooting from the field in an 82-54 win over the Trojans on the second day of the Pops Duncan Classic in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday.
 
The win gives Drury a 2-0 start and dropped Trevecca Nazarene to 0-2.
 
The Lady Panthers overcame a cold shooting start as they made just five of their first 20 shots but pulled away to take an eight-point lead at halftime, 36-28. Drury started the second half with a 13-0 run to extend the lead to 21.
 
Five Lady Panthers scored in double-figures led by Daejah Bernard's 15 points. The junior from St. Joseph, Missouri went 4 for 6 from the field, 7 for 8 from the free throw line and added five assists and four steals. Payton Richards and Hailey Diestelkamp both had 14 for Drury while Azia Lynch had 11 and Emily Parker added 10.
 
"Hailey Diestelkamp was in some foul trouble in the first half, but it was a good feeling knowing that we could bring her back rested for the second half, and her presence was felt," said Drury head coach Molly Miller. "You are going to have ebbs and flows with your shooting, and that's why we emphasize our defense. That's why we had that run in the third quarter – it was because of our defense and that was the difference."
 
Trevecca Nazarene was held to 12 of 39 shooting in the game for 31 percent. No Trojan player reached double-figures in scoring.
 
The Lady Panthers went 26 for 67 from the field for 39 percent and picked up 21 steals in the game.
 
Drury returns home for their next game as they host Southwest Baptist in the Bank of Bolivar Highway 13 Catfight on Tuesday at 5:45 p.m. in the O'Reilly Family Event Center.
 
 
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