By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
Centreville, Mich.---Ashley Tunstall (Huber Heights Wayne/Dayton, Ohio) produced a double-double as the No. 16 Owens Community College women's basketball team pulled away late in a 74-51 win over Glen Oaks Community College on the road tonight.
The Express never trailed, but the game was close midway through the first half and most of the second half. A fast break lay-up by Demy Whitaker (Notre Dame Academy/Toledo, Ohio) gave the Express a 44-30 lead at halftime.
Glen Oaks, however, behind the play of Courtney Moore, scored the first eight points of the second half to pull within six with 16 minutes left. Glen Oaks kept the game close until eight minutes remaining when a Moore jumper pulled them within seven at 55-48. It was at that point the Express went on a 13-0 run capped by back-to-back lay-ups from Courizma Williams (Hughes/Cincinnati, Ohio).
Moore kept Glen Oaks close with a team-high 16 points and a game-high 20 rebounds, with 12 coming on the offensive glass. On the other end, however, Tunstall had a strong second half to post 16 points, a team-high 13 rebounds and a team-high four steals.
Sierra Harley (Africentric/Columbus, Ohio) added 10 points and five assists. She was efficient from the field while finishing 2-for-3 overall and 6-for-7 from 3-point range. The freshman has tallied double figures in points in each of the team's first three games.
Early on, Briana Williams (Stebbins/Dayton, Ohio) provided an offensive spark for the Express. She had seven points in the first few minutes and finished with nine points, three assists, two rebounds and two steals.
Courizma Williams led the Owens bench with eight points and two steals.
Anika Gasich assisted Moore with 13 points for Glen Oaks.
Owens is now 2-1 heading into this weekend's Tip Off Classic in the SHAC. They will host Mercyhurst North East at 6 p.m. on Friday before hosting Monroe College at 6 p.m. on Saturday.
You can watch the replay of tonight's game here