#articleRelated { display: none !important; } Patrice Bryant scored 22 points with a career-high 11 field goals to lead the College of Charleston women's basketball team to the 62-49 win over Lander in front of 344 fans tonight at the John Kresse Arena.

The win gives the Cougars a 2-1 record, while the Bearcats fall to 1-5 on the year.

Charleston held a slim 11-10 lead with 14:03 left in the first half before a 16-4 run by the Cougars took the score up to 27-14 with 3:32 left before half. The half would end with Charleston leading 32-20. The Cougars out-shot the Bearcats 43.8 percent to 23.1.

Lander was able to match shots with Charleston in the second half and got to within nine at 12:15 (37-28) but a stingy Cougar defense prevented a closer margin and the game ended with Charleston winning by the 13-point 62-49 advantage.

The Cougars shot 41.5 percent from the field for the game, while the Bearcats shot 24.1 percent. Bryant's 22 points was just five away from her career-high 27. Erica Irick followed Bryant with her 12 points. Bryant pulled down a career-best 11 rebounds to lead the team. Jacquay White led Lander with 18 points, while Lashaundra Dubose followed with 10 points. White's nine boards paced the team as well. Rebounds were fairly even with Charleston holding the 48-42 edge.

The Cougars open Southern Conference play Saturday, Dec. 4th when they travel to Chattanooga for a 2:00 PM, while Lander travels to Erskine Thursday, Dec. 2nd for a 5:30 game.