NEWPORT NEWS, VA. -- Danita Whitaker scored 14 points and hauled in 15 rebounds to lead three in double figures for the Apprentice School as they defeated Briarcliffe College 68-52 in the Martin Luther King Classic at Apprentice School.

The Lady Builders used a 13-3 run over a four minute span to take a 20-15 lead on an April McCoy jumper with 8:22 left in the half.  The lead grew to 35-22 on a Danita Whitaker jumper with 1:23 left which capped a 15-5 run over a five minute span.

In the second half, Briarcliffe got within 12 points with 15:31 left as a putback by Analiz Fernandez gave the Bulldogs a 45-33 deficit to work out of.  Apprentice School made sure that wouldn't happen as they proceeded to go on a 15-1 run over a nearly seven minute span as a Samoane Brown layup with 8:38 left put the Lady Builders up 60-34.

Briarcliffe worked back and cut the lead to 62-46 with 3:13 left on a Simmone Thomas jumper, but that turned into the final margin of the contest.

Kenya Wilkerson and Shanae Hilliard joined Whitaker in double figures for Apprentice School (8-10) with 12 and 10 points respectively.  Briarcliffe (10-4) was paced by Thomas with 19 points and 15 rebounds and Jessica Little with 10 points.

The Lady Builders will play again on Wednesday night when they host NCAA Division II Washington Adventist University in a U.S. Collegiate Athletic Association contest at 6 pm.