DANVILLE, Va. – The No. 2 east-seeded Greensboro College women's basketball team opened USA South Athletic Conference Tournament action with a dominating victory over No. 6 east-seeded Methodist University Saturday, 77-48.
 
After trading the first two baskets of the game, Greensboro closed out the first period on a 19-3 run to take a 16-point advantage into the second period. Monica Smalls started the run with her first basket of the contest before Marla Crawford added an old-fashion three-point play. Domonique McCoy and Katie Lewis then added four points each as the run progressed, while Smalls, Crawford, and Rasheika Gregory combined for the remaining six points.
 
Greensboro then established a 30-9 lead before the Monarchs used a 6-0 run to pull within 15 points.
 
However, the Pride was able to use a 14-5 run over the final four minutes of the half to take a 44-20 lead into halftime. Lewis led the charge with five points, while Small, Jonacia Harper, and McCoy combined for nine points.
 
Greensboro was then able to add on to their advantage over the next 13 minutes of play to establish their largest lead of the contest at 70-30 following a Leondra Graves free throw.
 
After the Pride established the 40-point advantage, Methodist went on a 16-4 run but Cherise Ashley hit a three-pointer to stop the run and held secure the 29-point victory.
 
"I thought we put together another good team performance tonight," Head Coach Randy Tuggle said. "Everyone that came into the game gave it all they had.
 
"Hopefully we can continue to use this momentum and make a push for the conference tournament championship."
 
Smalls led the Pride with a double double of 14 points and 13 rebounds, while Lewis netted 11 points. Gregory also finished in double figures with 10 points. Lewis and Crawford had a game-high four assists each.
 
The Pride women will take on the No. 2 east-seed Averett University in the quarterfinal round at 4 p.m. Sunday with a chance to advance to the USA South semifinals. For more information on Greensboro College women's basketball, continue to follow www.greensborocollegesports.com.