GREENVILLE, Ill. – The Spalding women's basketball team came out on the winning side of tough battle at Greenville, 64-56, avenging a 14-point loss to the Panthers on January 4 at Columbia Gym. The win puts the Golden Eagles a game up on Greenville and Westminster for third in the SLIAC standings likening the odds of a postseason berth.
 
THE BASICS
THE SCORE: Spalding 64 - Greenville 56
LOCATION: H.J. Long Gymnasium | Greenville, IL
RECORDS: Spalding 11-9, SLIAC 9-4 | Greenville 11-9, SLIAC 8-5
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Greenville opened the game with a quick lay-up from Madelyn Stephen off of the tip. Each team exchanged baskets, but Spalding had an answer each time. Seniors, Megan Goeing and Allison Just, knocked down a trio of three-pointers to put Spalding ahead. Four quick points from Hunter Wright, and a lay-up from Goeing helped close the first quarter with SU on top of the Panther, 19-11.
 
- After scoring 19 points in the first quarter, Spalding struggled in the second quarter only scoring 10 points. Despite the offensive struggles, a pair of triple from beyond the arc by Meagan Hayden and solid defense would keep the Eagles up nine points heading into the break.
 
- In the third quarter, Spalding was able to extend their lead to 12 points early on, but the Panthers wouldn't go away. With Spalding struggling at the offensive end, Greenville was able to cut their deficit to three points on a Megan Barrett layup, but a Wright layup at the other end push the SU lead back to five heading into the 4th quarter.
 
- With right under eight minutes left to play, Hannah Krukewitt's jumper would slice Spalding's lead to one, but Goeing answered with a three-pointer. The Panthers kept it close down the stretch, but Spalding would come away with a win after scoring 25 points in the 4th quarter. Sophomore Maleah Hirn helped seal the game scoring all seven of her points in the fourth quarter at the free throw line, connecting on 7-of-8 attempts from the charity strip in the final period.
 
NOTABLE STATS
- Spalding sealed the game late converting at the free throw line shooting 87.5% (14-of-16) in the final quarter, and 20-of-22 for the game.
 
- Megan Goeing and Allison Just led the Golden Eagles with 15 points. Just also added five rebounds and three blocks. Hunter Wright also contributed 8 points and 8 rebounds.
 
FOR THE FOES
- Madelyn Stephen led the Panthers with 14 points. Hannah Krukewitt added 12 points and 12 rebounds, and Emily Reinneck with 12 points and 6 rebounds.
 
NEXT UP
- Spalding will face-off against Fontbonne Saturday, February 8th in St. Louis, Mo at 1 pm ET.