Lady Eagles Unable to Overcome First-half Deficit
11/12/2011 2:32:00 AM | Women's Basketball
STATESBORO, Ga. - Despite just a 10-point second-half scoring deficit, the Georgia Southern Women's Basketball were unable to overcome the Wildcats 48-16 halftime advantage and fell 88-46.
"We did not come out and play aggressive in the first half. We have got to get people to step up and get past that but that is why we play Arizona, Georgia and Alabama, they expose that," said Head Coach Rusty Cram. "I thought in the second half we responded a little bit better, got physical and started scrapping some."
The Lady Eagles showed some resiliency in the second half, scoring 30 points to Arizona's 40 on 52.4% shooting from the floor in the second half. All three of GSU's freshmen played more than 10 minutes each in the contest. Anna Claire Knight (Dublin, Ga.) and Tashayla Steede (Marietta, Ga.) both scored nine points each.
"That's incredible for two of your freshman to score 18 points. We felt like they were going to be something special down the road," said Cram.
Meredyth Frye (Fredericksburg, Va.) posted a team-high 12 points with seven points coming from the free throw line in the first half. The junior guard also led the team with five rebounds.
The Wildcats amassed a 48-16 halftime lead after forcing 16 Eagle turnovers with their half-court press defense and draining eight three pointers. Davellyn Whyte tallied 12 points and helped Arizona record a 51.4 first-half field goal percentage.
The Wildcats scored 40 points in the second half behind 56.5% shooting from the field. Arizona finished the night making 53.4% of their shots from the floor and was an even better 62.5% from behind the arc.
Five of the 10 Wildcats to play in the game scored in double figures. White added five points to her first-half tally and posted a game-high 17 points. Shanita Arnold added 16 points on four-of-six shooting from behind the arc.
Sophomore Brittney Benzio (Palm City, Fla.) made her first career start and scored the first point of her career with an early first half free throw. She finished the night with one point, three rebounds and two steals.
The Lady Eagles return to the court Tuesday to take on Georgia at 7 p.m. before hitting the road for a pair of contests at Mercer on Thursday and Alabama on Monday.
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