Guy Sparks Spalding Come Back In SLIAC Championship
2014 Women's Tournament Highlight VIDEO
The Spalding University women's basketball team came back from a ten point deficit in the second half of the SLIAC Tournament to secure the Golden Eagles first trip to the NCAA Division III tournament.
Spalding overcame a slow start to the game, scoring just 19 first half points, to capture their first ever SLIAC Women's Basketball Tournament title. It was a combination of forward Jessica Guy and the Golden Eagles' timely shooting that allowed them to overcome a ten point deficit late in the game. Webster held a 12-3 lead right minutes in as Spalding was just one for their first 15 shots. Webster's largest lead was 11 points at the 6:19 mark of the first half after a jumper by Kaliann Rikard.
Spalding showed signs of life when Dee Dee Sliter knocked down a pair of three pointers. They cut the lead down to four on a jumper by Maddie Martin just before the half. Webster answered back and took a 25-19 lead into halftime.
Spalding closed to within one point after Maya Hardin converted an old fashioned three point play at the 15:13 mark. Webster followed up with a 9-0 run and held. 40-30 lead with ten minutes left in the game. Kerstin Hayes shot the Golden Eagles back into the game, hitting a pair of three pointers and scoring seven of the next 12 points. Hayes' three at the 7:55 mark gave Spalding a 42-40 lead, their first lead of the game since the score was 2-0.
Webster grabbed the lead back with 3:25 left on a pair of free throws by Courtney Pursley. The Gorloks opened up a four point lead when Pursley knocked down two more free throws with 1:44 on the clock. Once again it was Hayes that answered with a three to cut the score to 57-56. Jessica Guy, who was a force on the blocks all game long, gave the Golden Eagles the lead for good with a layup with just 55-seconds remaining. Hayes extended the Golden Eagles lead with a pair of free throws and a missed jumper by the Gorloks with four seconds left secured the Spalding win.
Jessica Guy led all players with 23 points, 24 rebounds and five blocked shots as she earned Tournament MVP honors. Kerstin Hayes added 16 points including going four-of-four from three point range. Webster was led by Courtney Pursely with 17 points while Cassie Endicott finished with 13 points and seven blocked shots. Spalding improves to 16-10 overall while Webster finishes 17-10.
Spalding will find out their next opponent on Monday when the NCAA Division III National Tournament bracket is released. Following the game the 2014 SLIAC All-Tournament team was announced and included MVP Jessica Guy from Spalding as well as teammate Kerstin Hayes. Also joing then on the team are Webster's Courtney Pursley and Kaliann Rikard, Eureka's Caty Eeten and Wesrminster's Andrea Zalis.
