LEXINGTON, Ky. – Bridgewater College started the second half with a 17-2 run to open up a 17-point lead and the Eagles went on to defeat Blackburn College, 79-62, in the consolation game of the Pat Deacon Classic hosted by Transylvania University.

The opening half featured plenty of offense with the Eagles holding a 42-40 lead at the break.

Blackburn standout Briana Rea posted a double-double in the first half with 18 points and 12 rebounds. The Eagles offset Rea's production with a balanced attack as all five starters scored at least eight points.

The Eagles emerged from the locker room to start the second half and immediately hit the Beavers with what proved to be a decisive 17-2 run.

Blackburn turned the ball over on its first possession of the second half and Cassidy Burkholder knocked down a 3-pointer for a 45-40 Eagles lead. Another Beavers turnover led to a three-point play by Jessica Lam to push the lead to eight.

After Candace Pollock scored for the Beavers, Oshene Kelly worked the lane for a short jumper and Burkholder converted a steal into a layup at the offensive end as the Eagles' lead grew to double figures, 52-42, with 18:24 remaining.

A three-point play by Kelly made the score 55-42 and a layup by Lam gave the Eagles a 15-point lead. Kara Campbell capped the Eagles run with a jumper, making the score 59-42 with 15:07 left.

Rae knocked down 1-of-2 at the foul line for the Beavers, but Burkholder answered with a 3-pointer and a short jumper to put the Eagles up 64-43.

After the Beavers reeled off six straight points, buckets by Heather Cantrell and Lam and two foul shots by Kelly put the Eagles out front 70-49 with 7:57 remaining.

The Beavers would get no closer than the final margin of 17 points as the Eagles finished off the 79-62 victory.

Bridgewater (4-5) placed four players in double figures with Burkholder leading the way with 20 points. Lam and Kelly scored 15 points each while Cantrell netted 11. Jessi Strom just missed double digits as she finished with nine points.

Rea was a one-person wrecking crew for the Beavers as she finished with 29 points and 20 rebounds.

In spite of Rea's 20 rebounds, the Eagles finished the contest even on the glass as each team pulled down 40 rebounds. Kelly paced the Eagles with nine boards while Burkholder and Cantrell had seven each.

The Eagles also did a good job sharing the basketball as they were credited with 22 assists on 32 made baskets. Strom dished out six assists and Burkholder added five. Lam and Kelly each had four assists.

After allowing the Beavers to shoot 54.3 percent in the first 20 minutes, the Eagles limited Blackburn to just 36.1 percent shooting in the second half.