MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Shea Smith and Tesla Akers had 20 points each to help the Ferrum College women's basketball team beat Centre College 79-68 this afternoon in the second day of action at the 2012 Coaches vs. Cancer Tournament held at Hungtindon College.  The Panthers remain unbeaten with the win, improving to 8-0 this season.

Ferrum led 35-31 at halftime, only to see Centre go on a 14-10 run to open the second half and tie the game  45-45 at 16:25.  The Panthers scored the next seven points on a Smith three-pointer, a Jacole Hairston layup and a Smith jumper to make it 52-45 Ferrum at 15:19.  Akers' layup widened the lead to nine points at 64-55 with 9:57 left to play.

The Colonels bounced back with a 9-2 run over the next four and a half minutes and closed to within a bucket on Paige Baechle's layup, trimming Ferrum's lead to 66-64 with 4:19 left.  On Ferrum's next trip down the floor, Hairston made a layup, was fouled and completed the three point play.  Hairson then rebounded a missed Centre jumper and took it the length of the floor for a basket to put Ferrum on top 71-64 with 3:00 left.

Katy Kipps made a layup and pair of free throws down the stretch, Akers made three of four free throws and Kylene Culler made one of two from the line.  Kipps closed with 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Panthers (8-0), while Hairston had 13 points to go with the 23 points she scored in Friday's 97-94 win over undefeated Louisiana College.

Paige Beachle had 20 points and 15 rebounds to lead Centre (3-8).  It was Ferrum's second win in as many days over a team that played in last year's NCAA Div. III Tournament, including the win over this season's Div. III scoring leader Louisiana.  Centre hosted the NCAA regional that Ferrum played in last March.

Coach Bryan Harvey's team will be back in action Friday and Saturday, Jan. 4-5, with a pair of road game at USA South newcomers LaGrange College and Piedmont College.  The Panthers face LaGrange Friday at 7:00 p.m. and Piedmont Saturday at 2:00 p.m.