Women Cruise on Second Half Outburst

The Spalding Golden Eagles Women’s Team earned their fifth win in a row on Tuesday night with a victory over Saint Mary of the Woods College.  The team was able to win in impressive fashion with a convincing victory.  With the victory, Spalding moves to 9-7 on the season.   It seems as though the Golden Eagles are peaking at the right time.

The story of the first half was the stellar defense of Spalding.  The Golden Eagles were able to hold Saint Mary of the Woods without a field goal for the first 10 minutes of the game.  They were also able to make Saint Mary of the Woods turn the ball over 13 times.  With 10 minutes left in the first half Spalding was on top 17-4, all four of SMWC points were from free throws.  SMWC was then able to put together an 11-4 run to cut the lead down to 6 with 5 minutes left.  They were then able to cut the Spalding lead down to 3 with just 2 minutes left in the half.  Spalding would bounce back and go on their own 6-0 run to end the half, with the score at halftime being 31-22.  Kelly Harrod, Kayla Thompson, and Lauren Reed combined to score 25 of the Golden Eagles’ 31 first half points.  Harrod and Thompson were both able to put up big numbers on the rebounding end as well, Harrod with 7 and Thompson with 6 at the end of the half. 

Unlike the first half, the story of the second half had to be Spalding’s explosive offense.  The Golden Eagles were able to start the second half with a 13-0 run.  They played relentless defense and they were hitting all their shots to go with it.  During the first 10 minutes of the second half Spalding was able to go on a 29-10 run against SMWC and they were able to extend their lead to 28 points with the score being 60-32.  Coach Charlie Just said, “The first 10 minutes of the second half was some of the best basketball we’ve played all season.  The girls were getting after it and making plays.  It is good to follow up good defense with good offense, and they were able to do that during that run.”  Spalding was able to trade baskets with SMWC for the remainder of the game and come out on top.  Kelly Harrod was able to score 24 points and come away with 8 rebounds.  Kayla Thompson, Megan Davis, and Lauren Reed were all able to score in double figures to ensure a Golden Eagle victory.  The final score was Spalding 78 SMWC 52.

Spalding will now begin a four game road stretch.  Their next game will be played at MacMurray on Saturday, January 23.  They will not have another home game until February 6.