Top Seeds to do Battle in Championship Game
Posted: Feb 21, 2019

Top Seeds to do Battle in Championship Game

After missing out on the last two SLIAC Women's Basketball Tournaments Spalding University finds themselves in the 2019 Championship game where they will face Greenville University. Spalding, the #2 seed, defeated #3 seeded Westminster 75-67 in the first game of the night while top-seeded and host Greenville bested Webster University 68-65 in overtime in the night's second game. The 2019 SLIAC Women's Basketball Championship game will take place on Saturday, February 23 in Greenville, Illinois at 1 p.m.

Spalding 75, Westminster 67 - BOX SCORE
Inside the Game
Spalding dominated the two most important quarters of a game, the first and fourth, to advance in the 2019 SLIAC Women's Basketball Tournament. Spalding held a 20-13 lead after one quarter, jumping out to a 7-2 lead at the start of the game. Westminster fought their way back into the game with strong quarters in the second and third, eventually taking a 53-48 lead into the fourth quarter. However, Spalding opened up the fourth with 15 straight points, building up a lead as large as 10 points. The Blue Jays made a late run, cutting the score to 65-61 but were unable to get any closer. 

  • Spalding extends their program-record winning streak to 13 games
  • Westminster out rebounded Spalding 46-25 in the game but also committed 17 turnovers to just 5 for the Golden Eagles
  • Hunter Wright led Spalding with 23 points, six rebounds, and five steals
  • Kendahl Adams was the high scorer for Westminster with 19 points

Greenville 68, Webster 65 - BOX SCORE
Inside the Game
Greenville opened the game up with a 13-0 run and held a 36-23 lead at halftime before Webster was able to shake off the cobwebs from the early blow. After scoring just 23 points in the first two-quarters Webster put up 20 points in the third quarter to show some life. The Gorloks finally made the game anew when Naomi Johnson hit a jumper with 1:32 to tie the score at 58-58. Johnson was not done however and gave the Gorloks their first lead of the game on their next trip down the court with a three-ball from the top of the key with just 53-seconds on the clock. Greenville's Barrett responded with a three of her own with 28-seconds left to draw the score even. Webster was unable to get a shot off before the end of regulation sending the game into overtime. It was Morgan St. James racing down the court with 43-seconds left in overtime that scored the decisive bucket for Greenville putting them up 67-65 and then putting the Panthers close to a win with a steal with 12-seconds left. A last-second three by Webster hit the front of the rim, sending Greenville to the championship game.

  • Greenville is looking to become the fourth top seed of the tournament to win the title in the last six years
  • Morgan St. James led Greenville with 19 points, going 8-of-12 from the field with 11 rebounds
  • Webster was led by Addison Beussink with 18 points and 12 rebounds
  • Tonight's game marked the first overtime game in the opening round of the SLIAC Women's Basketball Tournament and just the second time ever in a tournament game, joining the 2006 championship game.