By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
Columbus, OH---Aja Hall and Uniqua Mitchell led the No. 9 Express women's basketball team to a 104-68 rout of Columbus State Community College on the road Saturday.
Hall produced 23 points, seven rebounds, six assists and one steal. Her one steal, with just under nine minutes remaining in the game, led to history. Following the steal, Hall sprinted down court, made a lay-up and became only the sixth Express women's basketball player with 900 career points. Following her made free throw after that basket, Hall finished the day at 901 points.
Meanwhile, Mitchell had a solid day offensively. The freshman point guard finished with 22 points, eight rebounds, four assists, three blocks and one steal. She shot 6-for-13 overall from the field, 4-for-7 from three point range, and a perfect 6-for-6 from the foul line.
The game was relatively close during the first 10 minutes, but the Express turned it on and led 51-29 at halftime. Three others, aside from Hall and Mitchell, scored in double figures to help in the win.
Emma-Jean Ricketts finished 6-for-13 from the field, 2-for-4 from three point range, and 2-for-2 from the foul line to finish with 16 points and eight rebounds in 24 minutes, while Karahn Scott added 13 points, nine rebounds and one steal. Hailey Galvan added a double-double. She finished with 12 points, 12 rebounds, seven blocks and four steals.
Danielle Bezeau added seven points, seven rebounds, three assists and one steal off the bench. Additionally, despite being limited to 19 minutes due to foul trouble, Kieona Foster had five points, five rebounds, seven assists, two blocks and one steal.
The Express shot 30-for-70 overall from the field, 9-for-22 from three point range and 35-for-52 from the foul line. The 52 free throw attempts breaks a school record for most attempted as a team in a single game, and the 35 free throws made breaks the school record for most free throws made as a team in a single game. Additionally, Hall attempted 17 free throws, which was one short of tying the single game record for an individual.
Columbus State shot 24-for-75 overall, 6-for-25 from three point range and 14-for-25 from the foul line. They were led by Audrey Anadein's 25 points and eight rebounds. Katie Stevens added 13 points, five rebounds and four assists.
The point total for the Express was their largest offensive output of the season, and it was their second 100 point game. They out-rebounded Columbus State 63-41, had more assists (20-17), more blocks (9-4), more steals (12-11), more bench points (26-14) and more second chance points (22-8).
Owens improves to 21-4 overall and 6-1 in the OCCAC with the win, while Columbus State falls to 14-8 overall and 3-3 in the OCCAC. The Express will hit the road to take on Cuyahoga Community College Wednesday at 5 p.m.