NEWPORT NEWS, VA. – The Apprentice School Lady Builders opened the game on a 13-2 run and closed the half on an 18-4 run to put away Berkeley College (NY) 69-44 on Sunday in a battle of two top 10-ranked teams in the U.S. Collegiate Athletic Association.

Apprentice School (14-1), ranked second in the USCAA, jumped out quickly on a layup from Danita Whitaker and a jumper from Courtney Collins in the first minute.  After a bucket from Kysharece Young, the Lady Builders ripped off the next nine points to lead 13-2 on a 3-pointer from Shanae Hilliard with 15:05 left.

Berkeley (11-6), ranked ninth in the USCAA, made its run of the game as they outscored the hosts 13-5 over the next 6:25 to cut the deficit to 18-15 on a Janay Collins jumper with 8:40 left.  From there, the Lady Builders found another gear outscoring the Knights 18-4 to close the half as a Whitaker jumper capped the scoring for Apprentice and they took a 36-19 lead into halftime.

The second half started as the first half ended as Apprentice School went on a 9-2 run to take a 24-point lead on a Tamara Davis layup with 15:38 left and a 45-21 margin.  Apprentice School pushed the lead to as much as 28 points on a Davis jumper with 3:38 left for a 68-40 lead.

Collins was the leading scorer for Apprentice School with 19 points and nine rebounds, while Davis had another double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.  Apprentice School hit 30-of-71 from the field (41.1%) and forced 27 Berkeley turnovers which they converted into 26 points.  The Lady Builders only turned the ball over nine times on the game.  Berkeley was paced by Janay Collins with 19 points and they were 17-of-51 from the floor (33.3%).

Apprentice School, one win from matching the best start in school history, will go for that on Wednesday night hosting in-state rival Southern Virginia at 6 pm.