FAYETTEVILLE, NC – The Greensboro College Pride women's basketball team returned to the court for their second game in two days on Sunday afternoon. The Pride traveled to take on the Monarchs of Methodist University, and came away with an 80-73 victory behind a seventeen point performance by center Tiffani Stephens.
In the first half of play, Greensboro raced out to a 17-9 lead just seven minutes into the game following a three ball by Kerstin Winston.
Following the Winston three pointer, Greensboro was able to hold their margin until the Monarchs climbed their way back to tie the game at 25-25 with 6:16 showing to play in the first half. Once Methodist tied the score, the Pride then used an 8-0 fueled by Marla Crawford and Alexis Hite to pull back out in front by a 33-25 mark.
However, Methodist was able to storm back to take a 37-35 lead into the intermission break.
Coming out of the break, Methodist was able to keep the Pride offense at by until consecutive three balls by Crawford and Joslyn Spires put Greensboro on top 49-47 with twelve minutes to play in the contest.
Over the final twelve minutes, Greensboro was able to take their largest lead of the game at 62-50 following a layup by Shanita Hampton. Once the Pride established the twelve point lead, they did not look back and was able to secure the 80-73 victory.
"The first half of play was very up and down for us," Pride Head Coach Randy Tuggle said following the game. "Coming out of the halftime break, we were able make the right adjustments to apply constant pressure on the ball. We also did a great job of spreading the ball around throughout th e game which resulted in five players scoring in double figures."
Shanita Hampton also joined Stephens with double figures accounting for fourteen points on the night with Vontreece Hayes and Marla Crawford adding ten points each. Alexis Hite finished the day with two three pointers to go along with a perfect three of three night from the line to finish with eleven points.
Greensboro College was able convert 27 baskets on the night with 21 of them coming off the extra pass. Hampton led the way for the Pride with six assists while teammates Joslyn Spires and Marla Crawford each passed for four assists.
With the win, Greensboro improves their overall record to 18-4 while bettering their USA South Athletic Conference record to 13-3. The Pride women will return home to Mayo C. Harlow memorial court for another USA South showdown on Wednesday night. Greensboro will welcome the Cougars of Averett University to town for a 7:30 PM tip.
