BROOKLYN, NY --- The Lady Avengers took their unblemished record outside of New York this past weekend for two games in Maryland and returned home with a pair of quality victories, defeating CCBC-Dundalk, 54-43, on Saturday and Montgomery College-Rockville, 57-55, on Sunday.

After two overpowering wins to open the season, ASA faced an upgrade in competition from the beginning.

In the first game, ASA, although sluggish out of the gate for their own standards, would take control of the game early, holding double digit leads for the better part of the first half. The Lady Avengers would take a 26-16 lead into the half. CCBC-D would play ASA pretty even in the second half, but never really threatened, as the Lady Avengers would coast to the 11-point win over the Lady Lions, who came into the game undefeated at 3-0. Sophomore guard Latasia Ward (Bronx, NY) and freshman guard Deborah Anderson (Tacoma, WA) [PICTURED] led the way for ASA with 10 points apiece. Ward added nine rebounds, while Anderson had three steals.

The second game would prove to be much more difficult than the first. Montgomery, the #7 ranked team in NJCAA Division III, brought size, athleticism and a 3-1 record to the game against ASA. The game was marked with foul trouble in the early goings, with three Lady Avengers being charged with at least two fouls in the first half – including the starting frontcourt of sophomore posts Ariel Thomas and Brittany Webb (New York, NY). ASA played through the whistles and went into the locker room with a 32-23 halftime advantage. The second half saw the Lady Knights chip away at ASA’s lead, cutting it to 42-41 with ten minutes remaining and taking the lead, 47-45 with 6:21 left.

The last two minutes provided the most drama during the game. Sophomore guard Ashley Watson (Detroit, MI) helped keep the pressure on MC-R, recording two steals and a key basket within the time frame. As time was winding down, ASA was clinging to a 57-53 lead. MC-R would score a late basket and look to foul. Anderson, who led the team with 12 points, was fouled with less than ten seconds left in the game. Unfortunately, she missed the front end of an one-and-one to seal the game. ASA’s defense would hold off the Knights’ final effort, giving the Lady Avengers a 4-0 record with their closest win to date. Ward and freshman forward Sashana Bucknor (New Haven, CT) both finished the contest with 11 points and six rebounds. Watson, in her third contest after suffering a season-ending knee injury last year, finished with six points, four assists and three steals.

ASA returns to action on Thursday, November 17th as they take on Army JV at West Point (Time TBA). The Lady Avengers host Baltimore City CC in their home opener on Saturday, November 19th at St. Francis College. Tipoff is set for 4pm.