Raleigh, NC – The Shaw University Lady Bears used a strong second half along with a boost from the bench to pull away from the Virginia University of Lynchburg Dragons 84-54 on day one of the Capital Classic held in Emery Gymnasium Friday evening.

With the win, Shaw improves its record to 1-3 overall while the Dragons fall to 1-3 equally.

Makenzie Pollard got the Lady Bears on the board in the first 10 seconds collecting the opening tip and finishing the fast break chance. Tanayja London beat the shot clock to put Shaw ahead 9-2 forcing a quick VUL timeout. The Dragons responded after the break to cut the Lady Bears lead to 11-7 before Inari Jones added her second three-point basket making the score 14-7 with 4:30 left in the first quarter. VUL kept things close at the free-throw line cutting the Shaw lead to 17-15 before Taliyah Rahman beat the buzzer with a drive and score making the score 19-15 at the quarter break.

Shaw opened its lead to 24-18 to start the second stanza. Nyrobi Pillers split a pair of free throws making the score 27-22 with a little over six minutes left before the half. Back-to-back baskets from Ashley Rojas followed by Pillers made the score 33-24 with 2:45 left in the second quarter. Shaw pushed ahead 40-29 at the half with a three from Rojas.

Pillers connected on two baskets inside to begin the third quarter making the score 44-29. Pollard connected on a corner three after a timeout with 5:20 left in the third. Pollard fed Rojas on the break to extend the Lady Bears lead to 53-44 at the 2:45 mark.  Shaw went on to outscore VUL 22-8 in the quarter to post a 62-37 lead after three complete.

The Shaw onslaught continued as the Lady Bears lead ballooned to 75-42 with five minutes remaining in the game. The Lady Bears mirrored the third quarter scoring 22 points to race to the thirty-point victory.

Five Lady Bears finished in double figures with Rojas and Rahman leading the way with 15 points each followed by Pillers, Inari Jones, and London with 11 points. Pillers finished with a double-double collecting 10 rebounds. The Shaw bench outscored VUL 41-17 while also collecting 11 more second-chance points at 21-9.

Shaw returns to action in a quick turnaround as they face William Peace University Saturday afternoon on day two of the Capital Classic. Tipoff is slated for 2 p.m. on the campus of St. Augustine's University.