GREENSBORO, NC – The Southern Virginia University Women's Basketball team took on first-seeded and undefeated in league play Greensboro College Thursday night in the semifinals of the conference tournament.
The match, played in front of the largest crowd in Hanes Gymnasium this season, was fast-paced from the opening tip. The Knights jumped out to an early lead, picking apart the Pride's 1-3-1 zone to tally eight straight points in the paint.
After two minutes of play, the home team would get on the board following a Lauren Livingston layup. Ta'keria Legette would then take over, scoring six straight points on consecutive three-point plays—one the old-fashioned way and one from beyond the arc—to tie the game at eight.
Alyssa McKrola provided a spark as the first quarter came to a close, registering seven straight points. A
Ruth Kempler jumper would increase the Southern Virginia advantage to five; however, Quadijah Moore would capitalize on a Knight turnover to cut the deficit to three before the end of the quarter.
The Southern Virginia lead was generated by great ball movement, with seven of the nine made field goals in the quarter coming off assists.
Courtney Olson led the charge, tallying an outstanding four assists in the first 10 minutes of play.
The second quarter was all Greensboro from the start, with the home team going on an 8-0 run to begin play. The Pride would build on their lead over the next few minutes, stretching the advantage to 13 points following a 3-pointer by Karli Mason.
McKrola, Newman and Olson each recorded baskets in the final two minutes of the half to cut the deficit to eight as the teams went to the locker rooms.
After being outscored 23-12 in the second quarter, the Knights would bounce back in the third with their best quarter of the evening.
Aysia Foster led the charge, notching five quick points with two blocks and two rebounds. McKrola would continue her excellent play into the second half, adding nine points to lead all
players in the quarter. An
Emma Camden jumper with 15 seconds remaining in the quarter would make it a two-point game, 58-56, going into the final quarter of play.
Southern Virginia shot an impressive 69 percent from the field during the quarter compared to 33 percent for Greensboro.
The teams traded baskets over the first five minutes of the fourth, with a pair of free throws by Olson keeping the Knights within striking distance. She would later square the game at 68 following an offensive rebound and a stellar pass by Foster to set up a wide-open layup.
The intensity increased as the clock ran down, with a spot in the conference tournament championship game on the line.
Maria Savvun would give Southern Virginia its first lead since the beginning of the second quarter with just under two minutes of play remaining. She would add to the advantage with another free throw the next time down the court.
Audrey Jennings, the USA South player of the year, would tie the game at 70 with an acrobatic floater in the paint with 45 seconds to go.
Foster was sent to the line following a Greensboro foul and would knock down one of two from the line to give the Knights a one-point lead.
The Pride would retake the lead on the next possession following a layup by Quadijah Moore. She was fouled on the shot but would miss the free throw to extend the lead. The Knights were unable to corral the rebound, but Savvun would get a scrappy steal and call a timeout to allow her team to set up a play to win the contest with 22 seconds left.
Southern Virginia got the ball to Olson on the block, and she made a great post move to get a good look at the basket. Greensboro's Quadijah Moore was credited with a block, getting away with a lot of contact, giving possession back to the Pride.
With just over a second to go, Savvun was called for an intentional foul on the ensuing inbound, awarding the Pride two free throws and the ball. The home team would secure the victory after knocking down four straight free throws, putting the game out of reach.
McKrola ended the contest with a game-high 20 points while adding eight rebounds. Olson followed with 14 points, adding seven rebounds and a game-high eight assists. Foster had one of her best outings of the season, tallying 12 points, eight rebounds and three blocks. Newman would round out the double-digit scorers, registering 10 points while recording six rebounds and three assists.
For the most up-to-date information and details about the team, visit knightathletics.com and follow @knight_wbb on Instagram.
