DECATUR, Ga. – Spalding women's basketball traveled to Agnes Scott College to play in the Agnes Scott College Tip-off Classic. On Friday, the Golden Eagles defeated the hosts 53-35 and became victorious on Saturday by defeating Greensboro College, 59-48.
SU moved to 2-0 after the weekend play, while the Scotties and the Pride fell to 0-1 on the season.
G1 vs. Agnes Scott
The first quarter was a competitive matchup.
Nicole Hollowell led the way for the Golden Eagles by hitting back-to-back three-pointers. Hollowell scored six of Spalding's 10 points in the quarter.
Sydney Raque helped on the defensive end, tallying three steals in the quarter. SU ended the first quarter with the lead, 10-6.
In the second quarter, things started slow for both sides. Neither side could buy a bucket as the basket seemed to shrink in between quarters. Spalding's first-quarter basket came off a steal and fast break layup by
Isis Rodgers. Despite some strong defensive effort, Agnes Scott went on an 8-2 run to take a slim 19-18 lead into the half.
The defensive battle continued into the third quarter with Spalding accruing three steals in the first minute and a half. Along with their stout defense, the Golden Eagles continued to apply pressure on the offensive end. SU was able to hold the hosts scoreless through the first four minutes of the quarter and only gave up four points in the quarter. In this time, Spalding put up 16 points of their own to take a 34-23 lead into the fourth quarter.
Similar to the second quarter, the fourth quarter was a slow start for both offenses. The hosts put up the first points of the period with a free throw and a jumper to bring the Golden Eagles lead to single digits. Hollowell responded by sinking a three-pointer to extend the SU lead to 11. After another Scottie attempt at bringing the lead to single digits,
Maelyn Ridener got in on the downtown action, draining a three-pointer of her own. From there, Spalding continued to extend their lead over the hosts. Mathematics fans in the crowd were happy when Agnes Scott scored late in the game to bring the final score to a palindrome of 53-35 in favor of the Golden Eagles.
G2 vs Greensboro
The first quarter did not go according to plan for Spalding after Greensboro jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead. The Golden Eagles were able to tie it at 4-4 following a layup by
Ma'Kaylia Lute. However, the Pride then went on a 16-4 run in the final seven minutes of the quarter. The Golden Eagles faced a 12-point deficit going into the second quarter as the Pride led, 20-8.
In the second quarter, Greensboro continued to apply pressure on the Golden Eagle defense. The Pride extended their lead to 18, the largest of the night for Greensboro, with just under eight minutes left in the half. Finally, Spalding's offense came to life. SU went on a 20-6 run to close the half, including a 15-point run capped by a three-pointer by
Makenna Roush. Greensboro took a slim 33-29 lead into the half.
The third quarter was a defensive battle from start to finish. Greensboro clung to their advantage, but Spalding kept it close throughout the quarter. Both teams scored a total of eight points in the low-scoring period. Rodgers scored a fastbreak layup with 28 seconds left in the quarter with an assist from Lute. This brought the score to 41-37 in favor of the Pride, as the clock ticked to zero.
Spalding came out hot in the fourth quarter, determined to get their first lead of the game. A pair of free throws by
Riana Caldwell cut the Pride lead to 2 just 30 seconds into the fourth quarter. After trailing for the first 30 minutes of the contest, Roush gave the Golden Eagles their first lead of the game with a three-pointer off an assist from Lute. From there, SU continued to build their lead through tough defense and unwavering offense. Despite some fight from the Pride, Spalding came home victorious in this one, 59-48.
GOLDEN EAGLE NOTES
- Riana Caldwell had 23 rebounds in two games, averaging 11.5 per game.
- Maelyn Ridener and Isis Rodgers averaged 12.5 points per game in the Agnes Scott College Tip-off Classic.
- The Golden Eagles outshot both teams in field goal and three-point percentage.
- SU outscored their opponents in the paint, 52-38.
NEXT FOR SPALDING
Spalding will have home-court advantage for the first time this season against Franklin College. This match will take place on Wednesday, November 15th at 7 p.m.
