Thompson’s 3 and Bunch’s Free Throws Give Spalding the Victory

The Golden Eagles were able to come up with an exciting conference victory against Greenville College on Wednesday night.  With the victory, Spalding has now won 3 conference games in a row and have evened their record at 7-7.

The first half started slowly for the Golden Eagles as Greenville started the half with a 6-0 run.  Later in the half, after an 8-2 run by Spalding the score was all knotted up at 15.  Another run by Greenville had Spalding down 26-20 with 5 minutes left to play in the half.  Both teams were able to hit a few more baskets before halftime and the score was 35-28 at the half.

The second half started out a bit better for the Golden Eagles.  Lockdown defense by Spalding held Greenville scoreless for the first 9 minutes of the half.  Although Spalding played great defense, they struggled offensively and were only able to score 6 points while holding Greenville scoreless.  After Greenville scored their first bucket they were able to continue to do so, going on an 11-3 run.  After a    6-0 run by Spalding the score was 46-43 with 5 minutes left to play.  The teams battled back and forth for about 4 minutes and with 1 minute left the score was tied at 54.  After Greenville went up by 3 with 25 seconds left, Kayla Thompson came down and made a clutch 3 pointer to tie the game up with 17 seconds left.  A Spalding foul was committed with about 10 seconds left and Greenville was able to make 1 of 2 free throws to go up 58-57 with 7 seconds left in the game.  The Golden Eagles caught a break when Megan Bunch was fouled with about 5 seconds left in the game.  Bunch was able to hit both of her free throws to put Spalding up 59-58.  Greenville was unable to get a shot off before time ran out, and Spalding was victorious in an exciting game.

Wednesday’s game was the first of 3 straight home games for the Golden Eagles.  The women’s next home game is this Saturday, January 16 against Blackburn.  They also have a home game on Tuesday, January 19 against St. Mary of the Woods.