LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Spading University women's basketball team used another standout defensive effort to throttle Grenville, 68-43. The win improves Spalding to 21-4 this season and advances the Golden Eagles to the SLIAC conference championship game against the No. 3 seed Eureka Saturday, February 28 at Derek Smith Gymnasium. The No. 3 seed Red Devils defeated No. 2 seed Westminster, 71-58, in the first semifinal to advance.
Kaya Styles led all scorers with 20 points, sinking 9-of-11 shots from the floor.
Jessica Guy was dominant on the defensive end forcing five steals and pulled down 15 rebounds (13 defensive). The Golden Eagles defense forced 27 turnovers, including 17 steals and held the Panthers to just 25 percent shooting.
Styles scored the Eagles first eight points of the game, but Greenville was able to keep the game close for much of the first half. After a Panther layup cut the lead to four with 6:31 to play before halftime,
Brandy Hunter scored five quick points to ignite a 7-0 run that gave the Eagles a 26-15 lead. After Greenville sliced the lead down to seven, Spalding ended the half on a 7-0 run to take a 34-20 lead into the half.
Spalding began the second half on a 15-2 burst to break the game open. A pair of free throws from
Maya Hardin, who finished 8-for-8 from the charity stripe, put the Eagles ahead 49-22 with 13 minutes left to play. Spalding cruised the rest of the way, as the Panthers were unable to get closer than 21 points.
Spalding will take on Eureka in the SLIAC Tournament Championship on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. EST at Derek Smith Gymnasium.
Courtesy of Evan Skaggs