Greensboro College Pride Women’s Basketball Cash In Late From Line For 85-84 Victory

GREENSBORO, NC — The Greensboro College Pride women’s basketball team defeated the Bishop of North Carolina Wesleyan in exciting fashion 85-84 on Saturday afternoon in Hanes Gymnasium.

The Pride got out to an early 3-0 lead, but the Bishops took control of the first half and took a 43-37 lead into the halftime break.

Greensboro turned things around in the first minute of the second half, opening with a 7-0 run to erase the halftime deficit and take a 44-43 lead with 18:51 showing on the clock. Chevena Pickard scored the first five points of the run, before Syerra Troutman capped it off with as quick layup. After that, the Bishops would regain the lead for a short period of time before Greensboro was able use a 10-2 run over a two minute span to pull out to a seven point lead at 54-47. Joslyn Spires scored four of her 10 points in the game during the run.

Wesleyan was able to cut within one possession at 54-51, but the Pride was able to respond back taking their largest lead of the game at 59-51 with 13:04 left in the regulation period. Once again, it was the Bishops bringing the game back close and went back out in front by one at 69-68 just seven minutes later setting up a wild final five minutes of the game.

Greensboro responded once again after falling behind, and was able to push out to a pair of four point lead with the last one at 80-76 with 1:19 left to play. North Carolina Wesleyan went back out in front at 81-80 following an old fashion three point play with just: 43 seconds to play in the final half. On the other end after the Bishop pulled in front, it was Shanita Hampton that put the Pride back on top 83-81 with a three point shot from the near wing. Wesleyan was able to draw a foul against the Pride and pull to within one by way of the free throw line, before Greensboro had their turn from the line. Pickard connected on the first of two free throws on the ensuing Greensboro possession to pull out to an 84-82 lead with just 11 ticks left on the clock. Pickard’s second attempt came off the front iron, and Shanice Goree pulled down the board for the Bishops. Wesleyan was able to push the ball down the court and tie the game with seven seconds remaining.

Greensboro College was able to get the ball inbounded to the hands of Syerra Troutman to try and get the ball up the court to set up a final shot of regulation. As Troutman was bringing the ball up the court, Wesleyan showed strong pressure but was called for a foul with: 00.5 showing on the game clock sending Troutman to the line with a chance to close out the game. The Bishops called their final time out to try to make Troutman think about the upcoming shots, but it did no distract the Pride post player. Troutman came to the line after the timeout, and was able to put the ball off of the square and it to give the Pride the one point lead. The second shot just missed for Greensboro, but there was not enough time for Wesleyan in the game and the Pride escaped with the 85-84 victory.

Troutman was one of four Pride players to score in double figures with 13 points. Chevena Pickard had a game high 31 points to go alond with her team high seven rebounds, while Shanita Hampton added 21. Greensboro was outrebounded in the game by a 46-37 margin, with 12 of the rebounds coming on the offensive end of the floor. The Pride shot 44% (28-64) from the field, and 50% (9-18) from long range. In the game featured 11 ties and 10 lead changes.

With the win for the Pride, they move to 12-4 overall on the season and 8-2 in USA South Conference play. The Greensboro women’s basketball team will return to the hardwood on Wednesday January 5th, when they travel to Stanton, VA to take on Mary Baldwin. The tip is set to go up at 6:00 pm. For the latest on Greensboro College Athletics continue to follow www.greensborocollegesports.com.