By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information

Toledo, Ohio---LaKayra Carlisle (Pershing/Detroit, Mich.) produced a double-double and was one of five players in double figures as the No. 16 Owens Community College women's basketball team defeated Mercyhurst North East 87-59 in the Owens Tip Off Classic tonight.

In the early minutes, Owens took a 4-0 lead before Mercyhurst North East tied the game up at six apiece. However, Sierra Harley (Africentric/Columbus, Ohio) hit a jumper in the paint, followed by a pair free throws from Kheri Motley (West Bloomfield/West Bloomfield, Mich.) to give Owens a 10-6 lead.

The Express would never trail again.

Mercyhurst's R'mani Garrad hit a lay-up with 11:28 remaining to pull her team within one, but a 3-pointer from Courizma Williams (Hughes/Cincinnati, Ohio) started a 13-0 Express run that made it 31-17 with 7:08. A steal and fast break 3-pointer from Carlisle capped the run.

After Mercyhurst hit two free throws to end the run, Owens scored six of the next nine points and eventually pushed the lead to 47-27 at halftime after closing the half on an 8-0 run.

In the second half, Owens cruised and used plenty of their bench in preparation of tomorrow's championship game against Monroe College. They led by as many as 31 with 7:16 left in the second half.

Carlisle, who had 10 rebounds midway through the first half, finished with 12 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and four steals. She led the team in rebounds and steals and was second in assists.

Another starter, Ashley Tunstall (Huber Heights Wayne/Dayton, Ohio) had 16 points, eight rebounds, one assist and one steal. Off the bench, Williams led the bench with 14 points and three rebounds. Harley added 12 points, and Motley had 10 points and four rebounds.

Imani Vickers (Mansfield Senior/Mansfield, Ohio) led the team with five assists in 18 minutes off the bench.

Bianca Buckley had 16 points and 13 rebounds to lead Mercyhurst North East, while Kashawnna Sampson had 12 points.

Owens shot 42.7 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from 3-point range. Additionally, they were a solid 15-for-20 (75 percent) from the foul line.

Owens (3-1) will host No. 6 Monroe College at 6 p.m. on Saturday in the Owens Tip Off Classic championship game. Monroe defeated Macomb 77-53 in the other semifinal. Mercyhurst North East and Macomb will play in the consolation game at 2 p.m.