TOLEDO, Ohio --- The No. 4 Owens Community College women's basketball team (2-1) opened the season last week by notching victories in two of three matchups.
Individually, Dasia Hardison (14.0 PPG), Cierra Harris (12.0 PPG) and Hayley St. John (11.0 PPG) are averaging double-figures in scoring through the first week. Jada Moultair is averaging 11.0 rebounds per contest, while St. John is nearly averaging a double-double with 9.3 rebounds per contest. Harris checks in at eight boards per game, Hardison leads the way with 3.3 steals per contest and Taylor Starks is dishing out two assists per game.
As a team, Owens is getting to the foul line more than any team in the country - by far. The Express have attempted 107 free throws, which is 42 more than second-place Dallas College - Cedar Valley. However, the Red and White have made just 55, or 51.4 percent, of those shots. Interestingly, the 55 made free throws also leads the country and the total would rank as the third-most attempts nationally.
With the results, the Express held firm at No. 4 in the first NJCAA Division III national rankings of the regular season on Monday.
Owens will be back in action on Thursday at Oakland Community College beginning at 5:30 p.m. before returning home to meet Jackson College on Saturday at 1 p.m.
Schoolcraft 70, Owens 60
Dasia Hardison poured in a season-high 27 points to keep the Express close in the home opener, but Owens struggled from the field in their first loss of the season. Hardison finished 11-for-24 from the field along with four rebounds, three steals and two assists. She made five from long distance and didn't commit a single turnover.
Aside from Hardison, Owens finished 5-for-49 from the field. Cierra Harris and Taylor Starks each added eight points while Hayley St. John had seven. In fact, Harris (13) and St. John (12) combined for 25 rebounds, and Jada Moultair chipped in nine boards.
Owens 69, Mott 27
The Express used a 21-0 run in the opening quarter to rout Mott on the road. During that stretch, Owens shot 8-for-10 from the field as a team. Hayley St. John led the Red and White with 14 points, 10 rebounds and three assists while Cierra Harris (13) and Taylor Starks (11) also combined for 24 from the starting lineup. Six different players had at least four rebounds for Owens, including Jada Moultair with eight. Starks led the team with five assists while Malorie Schroeder had a team-best four steals. As a team, Owens shot a season-best 6-for-15 (.400) from long distance.
Owens 73, Henry Ford 44
Cierra Harris poured in a team-high 15 points along with six assists while shooting 9-for-11 from the foul line to lead the Express in a season-opening rout of Henry Ford on the road. Jada Moultair contributed 14 points, a season-high 16 rebounds, four steals and two blocks, while Hayley St. John had 12 points and six rebounds on 5-for-10 shooting from the field.
For complete coverage of Owens Athletics, follow the Express on Twitter at @owensexpress, on Instagram at @owensexpressathletics, on Facebook at /awinningtradition and online at OwensExpress.com.
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