MARYVILLE, TN – The Greensboro College Pride women's basketball team (24-4) claimed their first USA South Athletic Conference Tournament title since 2008 on Saturday afternoon. The Pride fell behind the Scots of Maryville College (25-3) early but was able to rally back for a, 69-66, victory.
Maryville College jumped out to an early, 18-5, lead seven minutes into the game but the Pride did not give up closing out the first half on a 16-5 run to tie the game at 31-31. During the 16-5 stretch, Alexis Hite got the run started with a jumper from the left elbow before Shanita Hampton and Tiffani Stephens combined for ten points.
"Maryville jumped all over us to start the game putting us in a thirteen point hole early," Head Coach Randy Tuggle said following the game. "We were able to make some adjustments and do some different things that allowed us to get back into the game."
Coming out of the intermission period, Greensboro was quickly able to jump out to a narrow lead at 36-33 following an old fashion three point play by Joslyn Spires. Once the Pride established the lead, Maryville then came back to retake a five point lead at 43-38 with 14:28 to play in the contest.
During the next eight minutes of play, the two teams traded baskets once again until Greensboro was able to establish their largest lead of the game at 55-61 with 6:37 showing on the clock. However, the Scots were able to come right back to tie the game at 66-66 heading into the final minute of play.
After Maryville tied the game, Syerra Troutman put the Pride up by two points at 68-66 with56 seconds remaining before Spires connected on her final free throw of the contest to give Greensboro the 69-66 advantage. Maryville would have one final chance to send the game into an extra period but Lauren Trent's heave at the buzzer was no good.
"Our team never quit today," Tuggle also stated. "I really hope that they enjoy this moment."
Tiffani Stephens led the Pride with sixteen points while pulling down a team high nine rebounds with seven of them coming on the offensive end. Shanita Hampton and Joslyn Spires contributed fourteen points each on the afternoon while Syerra Troutman added twelve points.
Following the conclusion of the game Syerra Troutman and Shanita Hampton was named to the All-Tournament Team while Tiffani Stephens earned MVP honors.
The Pride will receive the USA South Athletic Conference's automatic qualifier to the 2015 NCAA Division III National Tournament. Greensboro will learn where they will go for the first round on Monday afternoon at 2:30 PM. For the latest on the Pride women's basketball team and the rest of Greensboro Athletics, continue to follow www.greensborocollegesports.com.
