Greensboro Women’s Basketball 117 – Ferrum 113

Result from USA South Women’s semifinal game: GC 117, Ferrum 113 hosted by CNU.

Newport News, Va. — Greensboro College junior guard Dione Eccles scored a USA South record 54 points as The Pride women’s basketball team advanced to the finals of the USA South tournament with a thrilling 117-113 double overtime victory this afternoon over Ferrum.

Twice Ferrum was on the verge of upsetting the top-seeded Pride, but GC freshman Danielle Duncan made a layup with under a second remaining to force overtime, and Katie Freeman hit a 3-pointer with five seconds remaining to send the game into double overtime. GC led throughout in the final OT, and earned the right to face the winner of the Methodist vs. Christopher Newport game for the tournament title. The tournament is being held at CNU.

Eccles set the scoring record by going 16-26 from the field and 16-17 from the foul line. She scored eight straight points late in the second half to get GC back in the game. She also added 11 rebounds. Duncan scored 25 points and had 12 rebounds. Nikki Wilborn and Chelsea Thomas added 11 and 10 points respectively.

“That was the best game I’ve been a part of,” said GC head coach Jason Tuggle. “Dione had a great game, but it was all in the flow of our offense. We were down in the second half, but we stay composed. I’m about as excited as I can be for these women.”

Miranda Carrasco led Ferrum with 22 points on 7-17 shooting. Five other players scored in double figures for the Panthers, including Alexandria Davenport, who contributed a double double with 15 points and 14 rebounds.

It was the 10th straight win for The Pride dating back to an 81-35 victory over Averett on February 9.

Eccles 54-point game surpasses the following marks:
-Pride women’s record of 40 by Staci Humphrey, NC Wesleyan, 2-10-07
-Pride men’s mark of 47 by Clarence Caldwell, 1975-76 (GC 117, AC 91)
-USA South women’s record of 48 by CNU’s Karen Barefoot, 11-23-93
-USA South men’s and tournament record 51 Wayne Proffitt (Lynchburg, 1966) vs. Methodist
-USA South women’s tournament record of 42 Misty Hart (Christopher Newport, 1998) vs. Shenandoah

NOTE: The women’s single game NCAA DIII points record is 61 by Ann Gilbert of Oberlin vs. Allegheny, on Feb. 6, 1991.

Box: http://www.cnusports.com/sports/gen/usawfcgc.htm

GC record 20-7; Streak W10
Up Next: USA South Tournament Final, Sunday 2pm