Shooting Struggles as Lady Eagles Fall to UNCG
12/30/2009 1:25:00 AM | Women's Basketball
STATESBORO, Ga. - Georgia Southern guard Carolyn Whitney's desperation shot as the buzzer sounded wasn't on target as UNC Greensboro came into Hanner Fieldhouse and took a 45-42 conference win. The Spartans broke the Lady Eagles' five-game win streak, using a 15-4 run in the second half to come from behind and earn the victory Tuesday night (December 29).
The Spartans' Kendra Smith led all scorers with 12 points, and Monique Floyd scored all eight of her points in the decisive second half off 4-of-7 shooting. Jessica Geiger (Stone Mountain, Ga.) and Krista Tate (Atlanta, Ga.) each had nine points for the Eagles with Tate grabbing a game-high and career-best 11 rebounds.
Two field goals by J'Lisia Ogburn (Dublin, Ga.) and free throws by Tate and Geiger helped the Lady Eagles take a 10-point lead, 32-22, early in the second period. UNCG quickly attacked their deficit posting a 15-3 run.
Floyd and Brey Dorsett helped the run with six and three points, respectively, as the Spartans took a two-point lead, 37-35 before Tate hit a jumper at 6:05 to tie the score at 37-all. UNC Greensboro regained control at 39-37, but Samantha Williams (Kingsport, Tenn.) scored a layup to knot the score at 39-39 with 4:32 remaining in the game.
After a Smith jumper gave the Spartans a 41-39 lead, Williams hit a three-pointer to put Georgia Southern ahead, 42-41 with 2:43 left in the game. Floyd countered with her eighth point of the half, 43-42, and Dayshaun Richbow added two free throws for insurance.
UNC Greensboro had only four turnovers in the second period, while causing eight and converting those into 17 Spartan points.
"They [UNC Greensboro] played a smart basketball game," said Lady Eagles Head Coach Rusty Cram. "It was a poorly played game for us after the first six minutes. Once we stopped hitting baskets, we stopped looking to score. We lost our confidence and all we can do is put this behind us and get back here tomorrow."
The Lady Eagles were up by as many as 11, 22-11 at the 8:34 minute mark of the first half, but the Spartans reeled off 11 points to Georgia Southern's three to end the half at 25-20 Georgia Southern.
Georgia Southern shot 29.4 percent for the game, managing the five-point halftime lead despite shooting only 31 percent from the floor in the first half. UNC Greensboro was 8-20 in the first half, but the shots fell at a 47.8 percent clip in the second.
Georgia Southern plays host to Florida Atlanta Wednesday, Dec. 30 at 5 p.m. in Hanner Fieldhouse for its final game of 2009. Radio broadcast of the Lady Eagles' game will be available locally on WPMX 102.9 FM and globally on www.GeorgiaSouthernEagles.com.
