HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The Spring Hill College (SHC) women's basketball team saw their brief two-game win streak snapped by a 73-54 non-conference road loss to the William Carey University (WCU) Lady Crusaders at Clinton Gymnasium on Monday night.
SHC maintained a slim 2- to 4-point lead over the Lady Crusaders (2-5) for much of the first quarter, but the second quarter belonged to Carey who outscored the Badgers 27-15 in the frame to build out a 43-27 advantage at halftime.
Things went from bad to worse for the Badgers early in the third quarter as WCU stretched their lead to 50-31 in the first 3 minutes and kept the Badgers at arm's length with a 17- to 20-point lead for much of the rest of the game.
The Badgers shot 42.2% (19-45) in the game, including 33.3% (3-9) from beyond the 3-point arc, but lost a striking 29 turnovers to 15 steals by the Lady Crusaders. Spring Hill completed 76.5% (13-17) of their free throws while being out-rebounded 38-34 under the baskets.
Senior forward
Tiffany Valentine of Houston, Texas had 19 points to lead the Badgers as senior guard
Elise Reilly of Covington, La. poured in 10 points.
Danyelle Lewis had 17 points and Rachel Thompson put in 16 points for the Lady Crusaders as William Carey shot 40% (28-70) from the field, including 33.3% (9-27) from 3-point range. The Lady Crusaders scored on 50% (8-16) of their free throws, but lost just 10 turnovers to 5 steals by Spring Hill, leading to a 28-6 advantage in points off turnovers for the home team.
The Badgers (2-6) will lace up their sneakers again on Wednesday night when they visit H. Austill Pharr Gymnasium to face cross-town rival the University of Mobile Lady Rams (5-1) in a non-conference game at 5:30 p.m.
