Davidson took a 13-point halftime lead after shooting 80 percent in the first stanza, and ETSU could not recover, falling to the Wildcats, 103-88, Tuesday night in Southern Conference women’s basketball action before a crowd of 478 fans at Belk Arena in Davidson, N.C.
ETSU (7-11, 2-7 SoCon) had a quartet of players in double figures, paced by 18 points from both Misty Copas and Lauren Trantham. Erin Thurman and Ashley Reed scored 14 and 12 respectively.
Davidson (6-10, 3-5 SoCon) also had four players in double figures led by sophomore guard Ashley Hallsted, who recorded a career-best 26 points while dishing out 10 assists. Joining Hallsted in double figures were sophomore forward Meghan Bryant with 22 points, while senior guard Janna Magette and junior forward Bethany Schott added 19 and 16 points respectively.
Bryant added five blocked shots and a career-best 17 rebounds.
The two teams seemed destined for a high-scoring shootout from the outset of the game and did not disappoint.
Hallsted got things started for the ‘Cats with a three-point basket just nine seconds into the contest. A layup from sophomore guard Robyn Flewelling put Davidson ahead, 9-4, with 17:29 left in the half.
A pair of free throws from Bryant put Davidson ahead for good, 23-21, with 12:22 on the clock. Sophomore guard Lindsay Shade knocked down the team’s seventh three of the half to push the lead into double figures, 43-32.
The Wildcats would extend the lead to as many as 12 points before a basket by Shade with seven seconds on the clock made the halftime score 61-48 in favor of Davidson. The ‘Cats shot a blistering 80.8 percent (21-26) from the floor in the first stanza.
Davidson continued its torrid shooting coming out of the intermission and built a 26-point lead, 86-60, with 10:26 to play in the game.
The Wildcats’ hot shooting cooled off in the final 10 minutes of action, but the Lady Bucs were never able to get any closer than 12 points.
The Wildcats hit the century mark for the first time since Dec. 19, 1996, when they downed Manhattan 100-79 in Belk Arena.
In addition to that record, the Wildcats also set records for points in a half (61) and three-point baskets in a game (12).
The Lady Bucs return home to host Wofford at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

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