Explosive Fourth Period Vaults Greensboro College Pride Women Past Averett:NEG Rams’ Nichelle Jeffries(13) and SEG Falcons’ Katie Lewis(11) pts. local leaders for Pride

Explosive Fourth Period Vaults Pride Women Past Averett
from Wes Gullett, Sport Information Director at Greensboro College

GREENSBORO, N.C.-The Greensboro College women’s basketball team put on a strong showing in the fourth period to improve to 9-1 on the season with an 83-67 victory over the Cougars of Averett University Thursday.

The Cougars opened the game on a 6-1 but Greensboro was able to come back to take their first lead of the contest at 15-13.

Greensboro then maintained their two-point advantage over the final three minutes of the period to take a 22-20 lead into the second.

Following the pair of free throws by Brianna Best to end the first period, the Pride was able to extend their lead to 27-20 over the first two minutes of the period. Best got the run started with her first field goal of the game before Ashley Free connected from three-point range.

Once Greensboro established the seven-point advantage, the Cougars came back with a 5-0 run of their own to pull back to with two points before Greensboro ran off a 6-2 run that lasted 1:33 to take a 33-27 lead. This time it was Nichelle Jeffries(Northeast Guilford HS) leading the way with four points.

However, Averett was able to battle back once again to regain the lead at 37-35 before Best tallied an offensive rebound and a put-back to tie the contest at 37 heading into halftime.

Despite seeming to have a little momentum on their side following the last second basket by Best to start the first half, Greensboro struggled to get their offense into rhythm over the first five minutes of the third period which allowed the Cougars to establish a two-point lead once again.

Following a Cougars basket with 7:20 on the clock, A’Lyiah Woods hit a floater in the lane to pull Greensboro to within one at 44-43.

Over the final seven minutes of the period, the two teams traded the lead three times before Averett was able to gain a 57-54 lead heading into the final period.

After the period break, Greensboro began to connect on all cylinders as they went on a 8-2 run on three-of-three shooting from the field, while going two-of-four from the free-throw line, to take a 62-59 lead.

Following the run, the Pride outscored the Cougars 21-8 over the final 6:23 to secure the victory. Free fueled the closing spurt with eight points, while Woods, Sabria Joseph, and Katie Lewis combined for 12 points. Lauren Jenkins accounted for one point after splitting a pair of free throw chances.

“We were a little disappointed in the first half,” Assistant Coach Vontreece Hayes said. “After the break the girls really came out to play. This was a very physical game and I am proud of how our team was able to keep their composure and come out with the win.”

Free tallied 16 points to go along with three assists. Northeast Guilford HS’ Jeffries (13), Joseph (12), Woods (11), Southeast Guilford HS’ Lewis (11), and Best (11) joined Free in double figures.

The Pride will return to action on Dec. 31 when they travel to Ferrum College for a 2 p.m. tip-off.

For more information on Greensboro College women’s basketball, continue to follow www.greensborocollegesports.com.