NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The seventh-ranked Drury Lady Panthers started their season with a 71-57 win at Trevecca Nazarene on Friday in Nashville, Tennessee. The game was the first day of the Pops Duncan Classic hosted by TNU.
Drury overcame a 22 percent shooting night from three-point range as they went 6 for 27 from outside the arc and survived their 19 turnovers to win by 14 points. The Lady Panthers also made just 13 of their 25 free throws but they out-rebounded the Trojans 45-33 and forced 24 turnovers to earn the win.
“That was a team with nothing to lose,” said Drury head coach Molly Miller regarding TNU. “They came in well prepared were prepared for our pressure. This was a good test for us and we’ve got a lot to learn from it.”
Alice Heinzler, returning to the active roster after missing all of last season with an injured foot, led the Lady Panthers with 18 points. Lucia Fernandez had 16 points in her Drury debut and the Ball State transfer went 8 for 10 from the field.
Heather Harman returned to the Drury line-up after missing both exhibition games with an injury. The senior from Walnut Grove had 10 points with five rebounds.
Callie Hackett led the Trojans with 18 points.
Drury plays again tomorrow on the second day of the Pops Duncan Classic. The Lady Panthers take on Walsh University for a 3:30 p.m. tipoff in Nashville. The Cavaliers are 1-0 after their 75-55 win over Quincy earlier in the day on Friday.
