PEMBROKE — When it comes to facing Lander, Jonissa Monley knows The University of North Carolina at Pembroke women’s basketball team hasn’t fared well in recent history.

Monley and the Braves haven’t beaten the Bearcats since the 2013-14 season. That was all the motivation the senior forward from Laurinburg needed on Wednesday.

“As a senior, I took it personally,” Monley said. “I knew that I wanted to come out and make a statement not only to Lander, but the whole Peach Belt (Conference).”

Message received, Jonissa.

Monley was dominant in the Braves’ 63-60 win over Lander on Monday in Pembroke, logging a double-double with 26 points and 12 rebounds to lead UNCP to its fifth straight win.

UNCP coach John Haskins said Monley’s post production is “always” important to the team’s success.

“She’s struggled the last couple of games a little bit because she’s playing against a lot of size,” Haskins said. “But we felt like the way Lander plays, we had to get it inside. We were able to do that through some sets and just the continuity of our offense.”

The victory moved the Braves into sole possession of first place in the PBC East Division and gave them seven wins in their first nine conference games for the first time in program history.

While she’s happy with the recent success, Monley said the team doesn’t have time to dwell on the past.

“We’re trying to set records this year,” she said. “It has to be about the bigger picture.”

Trailing 57-56 with just over two minutes to play in the fourth quarter, the Braves (12-4, 7-2 PBC) turned to Monley, who powered through contact for a layup and added a free throw to give UNCP a 59-57 lead. UNCP wouldn’t trail again as Ebone Stevens iced the game with 20 seconds to play, knocking down a 3-pointer from the left wing to give the hosts a 63-59 advantage.

“There was not a bigger play in the game,” Haskins said of Stevens’ jumper.

Three other Braves joined Monley in double figures. Brianna Baham scored 14 points, playing all 40 minutes in the absence of point guard Jasmine Huntley. Stevens added 11 points and Nyla Allen tallied 10 points and a game-best 14 rebounds in 38 minutes of action.

“Our diversity is very special,” Monley said of her teammates. “Each individual brings something important — something that we need. We know exactly when to key in and step up.”

Despite 21 turnovers, UNCP shot 45 percent from the floor while limiting Lander (10-6, 4-3 PBC) to just 29-percent shooting, including a 9-of-42 mark from behind the arc. The Braves also finished with a 45-36 rebounding advantage.

For Haskins, the key was mental toughness.

“(We were) a little bit shorthanded, but I told them the one thing we needed was mental toughness,” he said. “I thought we just toughed it out and kept battling.”

Down five coming out of half, the Braves whittled away at the deficit, finally pulling ahead on an 8-0 run that was sparked by a Baham 3-pointer with just over five minutes to play in the third period. Monley hit a jumper shortly after to put the Braves out front for the first time since late in the opening quarter.

After three games over the past week, Haskins said the Braves are in desperate need of a day off. They’ll have that Thursday before preparing for Saturday’s game at USC Aiken. The Pacers (10-8, 6-3 PBC) sit second in the PBC East race, just one game behind UNCP.

“I told the girls when you have these one-day turnarounds I think practice is more about the mental preparation than the physical preparation,” Haskins said. ‘It’s about being locked in.”

UNCP Athletics Braves forward Jonissa Monley (24) dominated the post with 26 points and 12 rebounds in UNCP’s win over Lander on Wednesday night. It’s the fifth-straight victory for the Braves, who sit in first place atop the PBC East standings.
https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_rsz_b77y8158-1.jpgUNCP Athletics Braves forward Jonissa Monley (24) dominated the post with 26 points and 12 rebounds in UNCP’s win over Lander on Wednesday night. It’s the fifth-straight victory for the Braves, who sit in first place atop the PBC East standings.
Braves earn 63-60 victory for 5th straight win

By Rodd Baxley

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Rodd Baxley can be reached at 910-416-5182. Follow him on Twitter @RoddBaxley.