CENTRAL, S.C. – Southern Wesleyan held on for an 83-77 season-opening win over Barber-Scotia on Thursday night in women's basketball action.

The Warriors and Sabers combined to shoot 93 free throws, setting an NAIA I record in the process.  The teams combined for 66 fouls as five BSC players fouled out.  The team finished the final two minutes with just four players, having only brought nine to the game.

Chelsie Waters marched to the line 20 times for the Warriors (1-0), hitting on 15.  She finished with 17 points, six rebounds and a game-high five assists.  SWU scored 31 of their 83 points from the charity stripe and won despite shooting under 60 percent from the line.  SWU shot 35 percent from the field and hit on 6-of-25 three point attempts.

Barber-Scotia stayed close throughout as the Warriors largest lead was just 10.  The Sabers closed to within four at 79-75 with just over a minute to play and at a 4-5 man disadvantage.  The Warriors answered as Kiara Coleman and Cayse Branyon scored on jumpers to push the lead to eight.

Branyon led the team with 19 points and tied with Michelle Anaya with nine rebounds.  Anaya added 17 points of her own.  Branyon and Anaya made seven field goals each and Branyon knocked down three of the team's three-pointers.  Shelby Gilbert came off the bench to score nine points on three threes.

Lindsay Lee from Barber-Scotia led all players with 24 points and 21 rebounds.  She added four assists to lead the Sabers.  Darrian Bush added 21 points and 13 rebounds for BSC.

The Warriors forced the Sabers (0-2) into 37.5 percent shooting on the night.  BSC made 29-of-41 free throw attempts.  They did not take a three-pointer all night.

The Sabers dominated on the glass, pulling down 58 rebounds to just 42 for the Warriors.  SWU forced 26 turnovers and gave it away just 17 times.

The Warriors will hit the road next week, traveling to Montreat College on Tuesday to take on the Cavaliers at 5:30 p.m.

The previous NAIA I record for combined free throws was 92 set on Nov. 16, 1993 by Dallas (Texas) and St. Mary's (Texas) according to the NAIA record book.  The record for most free throws by one team is 60 set by Mount Marty (S.D.) in 1989.  Records are not kept for combined fouls but the 66 in the game are seven more than any NAIA I game during the 2012-13 season.