FERRUM, Va. -- Zarkia Mattox had a career-high 26 points as Ferrum College routed William Peace University 77-49 in USA South Athletic Conference women's basketball action this afternoon at Swartz Gym. Mattox was 11-16 from the floor, including 3-4 from behind the three-point line.

The Pacers led 11-4 early on, but Ferrum responded with a 27-9 run to take an 11-point lead at 31-20 with 3:33 left in the first half. The Panthers took a 33-26 lead into the locker room. Coach Bryan Harvey's team opened the second half with a 19-8 run to widen the lead to 18 points and never looked back.

Mattox also had five rebounds, three assists, two steals and a blocked shot in the victory. Jacole Hairston added 22 points, going 9-11 from the floor and 4-4 from beyond the arc. Kemani Crawford had a solid day with six points and nine rebounds. Lindsay Martin chipped in seven points, while Erin March had six points, four rebounds and a pair of blocked shots. Ka'la Jordan had 13 points and Brittany Boykin had 12 points for William Peace (6-11, 3-8 USA South).

Ferrum (9-7, 7-3 USA South) will play a pair of conference road games this week, starting with Wednesday, Feb. 4, against Averett University at 7:30 p.m. in Danville, Virginia. The Panthers will then travel to Fayetteville, North Carolina, Saturday, Feb. 7, to take on Methodist University at 4:00 p.m.