Greensboro’s historic season comes to an end in the first round of the NCAA Tournament
Mechanicsburg, PA – It had been eight years since the Greensboro College Women’s Basketball program had qualified for the NCAA Tournament and this was the first experience for any members of this year’s team, with the exception of Head Coach Heather Macy, who participated in the NCAA’s as a player for the Pride. They jumped out to an early lead and then made a comeback, but in the end would fall to the Violets, 71-54.
Senior Ta’Keria Legette (Latta, SC) opened the first quarter with a three-pointer to give the Pride an early lead. NYU would answer, but Legette grabbed the ball and drove in the lane giving Greensboro the advantage, 5-2. Eventually the game would be tied at 7-7, and then the Violets were able to grab their first lead of the game. They would push it to six points, until Legette was able to get another basket for the Pride, but unfortunately, as the quarter ended, Greensboro found themselves trailing, 18-10.
NYU increased their advantage to double-digits to start the second quarter, but, once again, Legette had an answer draining a short jumper. With 2:12 remaining in the half, the Pride trailed 30-15, until Junior Quadijah Moore (Greenwood, SC) received a pass in the paint allowing her to convert a layup. However, they were not able to get a run going and as the teams headed to the locker rooms, The Pride trailed by a score of 38-17.
The third quarter saw the Violets get on the board first, but Sophomores Lauren Livingston (Greenwood, SC) and Audrey Jennings (Elkin, NC) scored five straight points. However, two possessions later NYU had increased their lead to 20-points, forcing a Greensboro timeout. Out of the timeout, Moore and Livingston helped cut the lead to 15 points, and eventually two free throws by Jennings pulled the Pride to within, 47-36, At the 1:57 mark of the quarter, Legette trimmed the advantage to only nine points and then seven points, but as the quarter ended Greensboro was behind by double-digits again, 53-41.
As the fourth quarter began the Violets began to pull away, increasing their lead to 57-41. The Pride would have scoring opportunities but were unable to convert. They were eventually able to get things going offensively, but as the final buzzer sounded, Greensboro’s season would come to an end, falling 71-54.
Legette led the Pride with 17 points and 3 steals, while Livingston added 13 points and Moore added 12 points. With the loss Greensboro’s historic season comes to an end as they finish 26-3 overall after winning the USA South Regular Season and Tournament titles.