(Little Rock, AR) Junior Jazzmin Smith scored 21 points and grabbed 12 rebounds as the Dillard Lady Bleu Devils earned their fourth-straight victory with a 61-47 win over the Philander Smith Lady Panthers on Monday night in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Smith registered her team-high, fifth double-double of the season in the victory over Philander Smith. The 5-11 forward also had one steal, one assists and a three-pointer. Senior guard Ariel Mitchell contributed 17 points and 7 rebounds and two three-pointers in the victory for the Lady Bleu Devils.
The Lady Bleu Devils (9-4, 13-10) led the Lady Panthers 27-22 at halftime. The Lady Bleu Devils shot a solid 46% from the field in the first half, including 44% from the field from beyond the three-point arc. The Lady Bleu Devils' defense shut down the Lady Panthers (1-12, 6-22), holding them to 34% shooting from the field.
The Lady Bleu Devils kept up the same intensity in the second half, dominating the Lady Panthers inside en route to the victory. Jazzmin Smith had 13 of her 21 points in the second half. The Lady Bleu Devils' pressure defense held Philander Smith to 28% shooting in second half. Caryan Jones led the Lady Panthers with 14 points.
The Lady Bleu Devils will now gear up for their season finale and highly anticipated match-up with crosstown rival, Xavier, in the Allstate Sugar Bowl Bleu Devil Classic on Saturday, February 25th on the Battlefield in Dent Hall. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00p.m.
