Strong Second Half Propels Eagles Past Golden Panthers, 61-49, in FIU Sun & Fun Classic
12/29/2008 5:12:00 AM | Women's Basketball
MIAMI, FL - The Georgia Southern women's basketball team advanced to the final game of the FIU Sun & Fun Classic Monday evening (Dec. 29) at the U.S. Century Bank Arena after defeating host school, Florida International. The Eagles trailed after the first half, but outscored FIU 32-19 in the second half to capture the win, 61-49. Senior Ashley Rivens (Charlotte, N.C.) scored 11 points in the second half, 18 overall, to lead the Eagles in the win. Georgia Southern improved to 8-4, while Florida International dropped to 3-9.
The Lady Eagles gained a double digit lead, 14-3, early in the first half after Jamie Navarro (Naples, Fl.) nailed a three-pointer with 14:31 on the clock. FIU did not hit double digits in scoring until Asia Wilson hit a lay-up just after the second media timeout.
With 24.7 seconds left in the first half, Michelle Gonzalez scored a clutch field goal for FIU, giving the Golden Panthers their first lead of the game, 30-29. Georgia Southern did not get another shot off and headed to the locker room trailing by one point.
Ashley Melson (Newnan, Ga.) led the Eagles at half, chipping in 10 points and cleared away four rebounds. Monika Bosilj scored 14 of FIU's 30 points, eight from the charity stripe, in the first half and pulled down four boards for the Golden Panthers. FIU went 9-10 from the free throw line in the first half; Georgia Southern went 2-4.
Rivens put the Eagles back on top early in the second half with a lay-up, but it wouldn't last long. Bosilj visited the charity stripe four times by the first media timeout and the Golden Panthers led 35-33 at 15:57. Georgia Southern tied the game at 39 apiece off three unanswered field goals, but the Golden Panthers answered back and led 47-45 at the third media timeout.
The Lady Eagles erupted following that timeout and a three-pointer from Samantha Williams (Kingsport, Tenn.) with 6:30 left put the Eagles back on top, 48-47. Williams' three-pointer sparked a 7-0 run by the Eagles, who led 55-47 with 3:33 left in the game. A lay-up from Gonzalez ended a seven minute scoring drought for the Golden Panthers and it would be their last of the game.
“It was a great win on the road,” said head coach Rusty Cram. “We played good basketball and kept our cool down the stretch.”
Rivens led the Eagles with 18 points, followed closely by Melson, who chipped in 16. Geiger pulled down a team-high seven rebounds. Bosilj led the Golden Panthers with 22 points, Elisa Carey was second with nine points; Carey also pulled down the most boards with seven. Gonzalez was held to a mere six points for FIU after posting in double figures the past five games.
Georgia Southern shot 52 percent on the game, 63.6 percent in the second half, hitting 14 of 22 shots. FIU shot 34.8 percent from the floor, 31.8 percent in the second half. The Golden Panthers visited the charity stripe 18 times in the game to the Eagles' eight.
Georgia Southern will meet Marist (10-2) on Tuesday (Dec. 30) in the championship game. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m.
The Lady Eagles gained a double digit lead, 14-3, early in the first half after Jamie Navarro (Naples, Fl.) nailed a three-pointer with 14:31 on the clock. FIU did not hit double digits in scoring until Asia Wilson hit a lay-up just after the second media timeout.
With 24.7 seconds left in the first half, Michelle Gonzalez scored a clutch field goal for FIU, giving the Golden Panthers their first lead of the game, 30-29. Georgia Southern did not get another shot off and headed to the locker room trailing by one point.
Ashley Melson (Newnan, Ga.) led the Eagles at half, chipping in 10 points and cleared away four rebounds. Monika Bosilj scored 14 of FIU's 30 points, eight from the charity stripe, in the first half and pulled down four boards for the Golden Panthers. FIU went 9-10 from the free throw line in the first half; Georgia Southern went 2-4.
Rivens put the Eagles back on top early in the second half with a lay-up, but it wouldn't last long. Bosilj visited the charity stripe four times by the first media timeout and the Golden Panthers led 35-33 at 15:57. Georgia Southern tied the game at 39 apiece off three unanswered field goals, but the Golden Panthers answered back and led 47-45 at the third media timeout.
The Lady Eagles erupted following that timeout and a three-pointer from Samantha Williams (Kingsport, Tenn.) with 6:30 left put the Eagles back on top, 48-47. Williams' three-pointer sparked a 7-0 run by the Eagles, who led 55-47 with 3:33 left in the game. A lay-up from Gonzalez ended a seven minute scoring drought for the Golden Panthers and it would be their last of the game.
“It was a great win on the road,” said head coach Rusty Cram. “We played good basketball and kept our cool down the stretch.”
Rivens led the Eagles with 18 points, followed closely by Melson, who chipped in 16. Geiger pulled down a team-high seven rebounds. Bosilj led the Golden Panthers with 22 points, Elisa Carey was second with nine points; Carey also pulled down the most boards with seven. Gonzalez was held to a mere six points for FIU after posting in double figures the past five games.
Georgia Southern shot 52 percent on the game, 63.6 percent in the second half, hitting 14 of 22 shots. FIU shot 34.8 percent from the floor, 31.8 percent in the second half. The Golden Panthers visited the charity stripe 18 times in the game to the Eagles' eight.
Georgia Southern will meet Marist (10-2) on Tuesday (Dec. 30) in the championship game. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m.
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