The Lady Golden Eagles were victorious over the Greenville College Panthers Saturday afternoon, winning 57-50. A major key to the game was Spalding’s ability to force turnovers, the Lady Golden Eagles ended the game with 14 steals while forcing Greenville to 26 turnovers. Kerstin Hayes led Spalding with 22 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals.

Spalding scored first taking an early 2-0 lead. Both teams would match each other shot for shot over the next seven minutes. During that span Spalding held the largest lead at 8-5. Greenville would go on a 6-0 run taking the lead 11-8. The Lady Golden Eagles responded with an 8-0 run taking the lead on a Melinda Leavell three, and extending their lead to five with a shot under the basket by Kerstin Hayes. Greenville fought back running off five straight points tying the game 16-16 with 5:13 left in the first half. Laquisha Boyd hit a free throw regaining a one point lead for Spalding, and sparking a 5-0 run putting Spalding up 21-16. Greenville’s Brittani Wolfe stopped the Golden Eagle run with a three pointer from the left corner cutting Spalding’s lead to 2. Greenville took the lead with a free throw and basket by Katelyn Wise. Greenville’s lead didn’t last long; Kerstin Hayes knocked down a pair of three pointers putting the Lady Golden Eagles up 27-22. Kristen Baker hit a free throw with four seconds left in the half sending the Spalding to the locker room with a 28-22 lead. Kerstin Hayes led the Lady Golden Eagles at the half scoring 12 points.

Spalding got things going in the second half forcing two steals for transition layups. Tesha Wright kept it going getting another steal, driving to the basket to hitting a layup, and drawing the foul giving Spalding a 35-22 lead at the 18:05 mark in the second half. Greenville fought back going on a 7-2 run cutting Spalding’s lead to eight at 37-29 with 14:40 left to play. Kerstin Hayes pushed Spalding’s lead back to double digits with driving shot in the lane. Greenville hit two free throws, and three from the corner to cut Spalding’s lead to five at 39-34 with 12:46 left in the second. Kerstin Hayes knocked down two free throws after being fouled driving to the basket pushing Spalding’s lead to seven, but Greenville cut it back to five knocking down a jumper on their next possession. Katie Dennison hit 1 of 2 free throws to put Spalding up 47-38 with 7:28 left to play. Greenville went on a 5-0 run cutting Spalding’s lead to four, but Kerstin Hayes would hit a shot in the lane to put the Golden Eagles up six at 49-43. Greenville would hit two jumpers, and knock down 1 of 2 free throws to put the Panthers within one at 49-48 with 3:38 to play. Melinda Leavell hit a big three pointer from the wing with 2:06 left to put Spalding up 52-48. A flagrant foul on Greenville led two Kerstin Hayes free throws putting Spalding up 54-48 with with 30.4 left in regulation. Kerstin Hayes hit 1 of 2 free throws after a hard on her way to the basket. Greenville would get within five after hitting a jumper in the lane, but Spalding would go on to win 57-50. The Lady Golden Eagles next home game is February 4th at 1:00 pm against Principia College.

Tags: Women's Basketball //