Charlotte, N.C. - Jaquana Pauling and Bianca Covington each scored 16 points as the Johnson & Wales women's basketball team defeated Morris College 88-77 on Thursday at the Wildcat Center.

Johnson & Wales (3-0) shot nearly 60 percent for the game against its NAIA foes, limiting Morris to just 35 percent on 26-of-73 shooting fromt he floor.

Vanderia Shackleford added 15 points while Ineesha Hankerson posted 13 points and 10 boards on a perfect 6-of-6 shooting from the field.  Jada Morgan came off the bench to add 10 points for the hosts.

The Wildcats led by as many as 17 points late in the third quarter, gradually building their lead after falling behind nine points in the early going.

Keyanne McCray led Morris (0-5) with 15 points on the evening.

Johnson & Wales will resume play on Saturday when they travel to Center Township, P.A., to play Point Park University on the campus of Penn State Beaver.  Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.