Women Win a Conference Nailbiter

The Spalding University Golden Eagles Women's Basketball team was looking forward to a home game after a 4 game road stretch.  They battled MacMurray College on Saturday, February 6at Derek Smith Gymnasium.  The Golden Eagles were looking for another conference win.

The first half of the game was evenly matched.  The teams were able to trade baskets for much of the half.  Lauren Reed lead the Golden Eagles with 10 points in the half.  Other than Reed, the scoring for the team was pretty evenly spread out.  Six other Spalding Players were able to get on the scoreboard.  Spalding was finding it difficult to find a way to stop Taylor Vollmer of MacMurray College.  She finished the first half with 9 points and 5 rebounds.  The teams spent much of the half with the score tied.  The score was 18-18 with 5 minutes left to play in the first.  Spalding was able to outscore MacMurray 9 to 5 in the final minutes, and headed to the locker room with a 4 point lead, the score being 27-23. 

The second half was an exciting one.  There were many ties and lead changes from start to finish.
Kelly Harrod was able to score 13 points and grab 5 rebounds in the second half for the Golden Eagles.  The score was 41-40 about half way through the second half, with MacMurray leading.  Spalding was able to go on an 8-0 run to go up 48-41.  MacMurray had a run of their own, scoring 10 straight points and regaining the lead 51-48.  The teams traded baskets until the final minute of the game.  With 1 minute on the clock MacMurray was leading 60-56.  A drive by Kayla Hickman drew a foul by MacMurray.  Hickman knocked down both of her free throws to give Spalding the lead at 61-60.  A good defensive effort gave spalding the ball back.  Hickman was fouled again and knocked down 2 more free throws.  Spalding was leading 63-60 with 15 seconds left in the game.  MacMurray would have one more chance to tie the game.  They were able to get a shot off to tie the game, but failed.  Spalding was able to come away with a big conference victory in an exciting game.

The team’s next game is a home game and will not be played until Saturday, February 13 at Derek Smith Gymnasium.  The team will be playing Eureka College at 1:00p.m.