NEWPORT NEWS - The Apprentice School women's basketball team battled back from a 15-point deficit at the half to cut the lead to one, but Johnson & Wales pulled away and defeated the Builders, 83-71, Friday in the opening game of the MLK Classic.

The game was back-and-forth throughout the first period, but the Wildcats came out in the second quarter and went on a 14-0 run to take a 30-15 lead midway through the second quarter. The Builders answered to cut the lead down to 32-23 by halftime and then to 34-33 just 2:30 into the second half. That was as close as Apprentice got, however, as Johnson & Wales had an answer for every run the Builders had to get their 12th win of the season.

Jada Eleby led three Builders in double figures with a game-high 20 points and eight rebounds. Nyla Jackson had 15 points, including three made three-pointers, while Jada Bryant put up 14 points.

The Builders are back in action on Sunday in the final women's game of the MLK Classic as they will take on Massasoit Community College at 12 p.m.