CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The Young Harris College women’s basketball team rallied in the second half and held off Tennessee Temple for a 38-33 victory on Thursday night.

Lauren Smith led Young Harris with a double-double, 11 points and 12 rebounds, while LaDondra Johnson added 10 points as the Mountain Lions (10-13) were 17-for-53 shooting for 32 percent.

Young Harris, playing without guard Nikki Winn, who was out because of an illness, quickly jumped out to a 7-2 advantage, but the Crusaders (10-19) rallied and used a 15-0 run to grab a 17-7 lead. The Mountain Lions answered with a 9-3 run to cut the deficit to 20-16 and trailed, 25-20, at the half.

The Mountain Lions, who earned a season sweep of the Crusaders, opened the second half on an 8-0 run, but Tennessee Temple grabbed a 31-28 lead with 6:25 remaining. Young Harris went on an 8-0 spurt, capped by a Breanna Gleeson jumper with 2:21 left, to give the Mountain Lions a 36-31 lead.

Tennessee Temple got a bucket with less than two minutes left, but the Mountain Lion defense held off the Crusaders to preserve the victory.

Kanetra Gonzalez led Tennessee Temple with 11 points as the Crusaders shot 25 percent (10-for-40).

The Mountain Lions conclude the regular season 6:00 p.m., Monday, Feb. 21 in Gainesville, Ga., against Brenau University.

YHC Athletics