Lady Eagles Earn 200th SoCon Win on Senior Night
2/21/2012 2:40:00 AM | Women's Basketball
STATESBORO, Ga. - Behind strong performances from seniors Janay Wilson (Warner Robins, Ga.) and Samantha Williams (Kingsport, Tenn.), the Georgia Southern Lady Eagles picked up their 200th all-time Southern Conference victory with a 59-47 win over UNCG on Senior Night. The win snapped a seven-game losing streak that started back in January.
"Tonight showed what kind of team I thought they could be," said Head Coach Rusty Cram. "Every coach knows it. When you are losing, attitudes change, you lose your confidence and you do not believe in yourself."
Georgia Southern (8-19, 4-14), who honored their two seniors prior to the start of the contest, had three players reach double figures including both seniors. Meredyth Frye (Fredricksburg, Va.) helped the Lady Eagles get off to a hot start in the first half and totaled 11 points in the period. She finished with 17 points and nine rebounds, the third-straight game for her with 10 or more points. Williams added 15 points behind a season-high four threes. She also tied a career-best 4 steals, and fellow senior Wilson added 13 points.
"We were able to get a comfortable lead and take a sigh of relief," said Cram. "They were able to relax a bit and not tense up in the final minutes."
UNCG (4-23, 3-16) shot 34.6% behind 11 points from Breonna Patterson and 10 points from Sarah Folwell. The Spartans connected on five threes but shot just 31.3% from behind the arc. GSU held UNCG to just 12 points in the paint and scored 24 themselves.
Georgia Southern opened the first half with a three from Frye and after trailing by one point with 9:32 to play went on a 12-1 run. The Lady Eagles took a 10 point lead on a jumper from Wilson with 5:09 to go. GSU outscored UNCG 6-5 to finish the first half and went to the locker room with a 34-23 lead. Frye, who scored seven points over 1:03 in the middle of the half, reached double figures in the first half on a layup and foul shot.
A layup from Wilson opened the second half and a quick 7-2 run in under three minutes put Georgia Southern on top by 16 points. The fourth trey from Williams put the Lady Eagles on top 46-27 with 14:37 to play. The Spartans pulled to within 10 points on a 16-7 run that lasted nearly 11 minutes. The Lady Eagles weathered the storm and made six free throws in the final minute to secure the 12 point victory.
"We knew they would come back. They are an athletic team but it is easier to handle them when you have control of the game," stated Cram.
Georgia Southern opens a doubleheader next Saturday at Western Carolina and concludes the regular season at Furman on Monday. Tip-off from the Ramsey Center is set for 4:30 p.m. and audio from the game will be carried on GeorgiaSouthernEagles.com.
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