Hampton’s Late Three Point Play Lifts GC Pride Women To Victory

DANVILLE, VA – A late old fashion three point play by Greensboro College senior Shaninta Hampton helped give the Pride a narrow 81-79 victory at Averett University on Wednesday night.

In the first half of play, the Cougars and the Pride played to six ties over the first ten minutes of play before Averett took a four point lead at 25-21 with 5:50 to play in the opening segment.

After falling behind by the four point margin, Hampton brought the game back to an even score at 27-27 with two straight baskets before Marla Crawford put Greensboro on top at 29-27 with 4:08 to play in the first.

As the half drew to a close, Alexis Hite recorded a long range shot to put Greensboro up by three points at 36-33 before the Cougars got one final basket in the half to send the Pride into the intermission period up 36-35.

Coming out of the halftime break, the Cougars were able to control the first nine minutes of the period putting Greensboro into a nine point hole at 56-47.

Once Greensboro fell behind by the nine point margin they did not give up. Greensboro was able to respond back with a 13-2 run to regain the lead at 60-58. Tiffani Stephens fueled the run for the Pride scoring eight of the points while Hampton chipped in the other three.

Following the tying basket by Averett, Greensboro pulled out to their largest lead of the game at 69-60 following two charity shots by Joslyn Spires capping off a 9-0 run.

However, Averett did not go away and was able to climb back into the lead at 76-75 with 1:30 showing on the clock. On the next possession for the Pride, Alexis Hite knocked down a long three to give Greensboro a two point lead at 78-76.

On the next possession for the Cougars, Samm Chandler knocked down a three ball to give Averett the lead at 80-79 but Hampton came up with the big three point play to give Greensboro the two point victory.

“I am very proud of our kids for never giving up,” Pride Head Coach Randy Tuggle said following the game. “We played very hard against an Averett team that shot the ball extremely well, and the play of our guards carried us. We were also able to win the battle in turnovers and made the extra passes which guided us to a big road win.”

Hampton led the Pride with a team high 16 points while Alexis Hite and Joslyn Spires was not far behind with 15 points each. Tiffani Stephens also had twelve points in the game to go along with a team high seven rebounds.

With the win, the Pride women move their record to 11-3 overall on the season and 6-2 in USA South Athletic Conference play. The Pride women will return to action on Saturday afternoon when they travel to take on the Battling Bishops of North Carolina Wesleyan. The game is set to get underway in Rocky Mount, NC at 2:00 PM.