SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Georgia Southern women's basketball used a stout defensive effort to run its win streak to three with a 58-52 win over host Wofford on Sunday afternoon in Spartanburg, S.C.
The Eagles move to 4-3 on the season with the victory, while Wofford falls to 2-5. It was the first meeting between the two former SoCon foes since 2019.
Jamiria Jones' bucket as the first quarter expired put the Eagles up by two, 8-6, after one. The Eagles got a big three from Kayla Cleaveland in the second quarter to maintain their lead at halftime, taking a 21-18 advantage into the break.
In the third quarter, the Eagles shot 50% from the floor to extend their lead to 10, 41-31, at the end of the period. Georgia Southern led by 10, 53-43, with 2:17 remaining, but Wofford went on an 7-0 run to cut the lead to a single possession. Shanti Simmons got free for a layup when the Terriers were trying to foul and the Eagles were able to close out the win at the free throw line.
One milestone was reached by the Eagles' Destiny Garrett in the contest as she reached 1,500 career collegiate points with her first free throw of the third quarter.
Simmons led the Eagles on the day with 16 points as the only Eagle to reach double figures. Kayla Cleaveland came off the bench to notch nine points and six rebounds, while McKenna Eddings and Garrett each finished with eight points.
Queen Ikhiuwu led Wofford on the day with 18 points.
Eagle of the Game
Simmons hit 5-of-11 shots from the floor and 6-of-8 from the line en route to her game-high 16 points. She also added nine rebounds and four steals in the contest.
Stat of the Game
After shooting just 27.3 percent from the field in the first half (6-of-22), Georgia Southern hit 14-of-29 shots in the second half for 48.3 percent.
Quotables
Head coach Hana Haden on the defense today against the Terriers
"Our defensive effort was incredible. Wofford's a really good team that has so many weapons and the way that they space you out. They are really hard to guard. Holding them to just 18 points in the first half was a really nice job, especially battling inside with #81 Ikhiuwu."
On the better offensive second half
"We were able to generate points off of our press, and when we do that, it eases the pressure on our halfcourt offense a lot. Shanti Simmons has very quick hands. I thought she made a lot of plays that allowed us to breathe a little bit."
Next Up
Georgia Southern returns to Statesboro for a five-game homestand covering the entire month of December, beginning on Thursday with a 6 p.m. contest against North Florida at the Jack and Ruth Ann Hill Convocation Center.
