FERRUM, Va. -- Four Panthers were in double digit scoring tonight while
Shea Smith added 13 assists as Ferrum College (11-1, 5-1 USA South) knocked off Greensboro College (9-4, 5-2 USA South) 79-72 in USA South women's basketball action at Swartz Gymnasium.
Ferrum jumped out to a nine-point lead midway throught the first half on a pair of
Kayla Goins free-throws, putting the Panthers out in front 32-23. Greensboro closed out the first half with a 26-14 run to take a 49-46 lead at the break.
Goins opened the second half with a deep three-pointer, then
Katy Kipps converted a jumper to give Ferrum a 51-49 lead. Brandy Rush would later convert a free-throw and Syerra Troutman hit a jumper to put Greensboro out in front 62-59 at the 11:36 mark. Ferrum tied the game at 64-64 when Lindsey Martin drilled a three-pointer from the left baseline with 8:24 remaining.
The Panthers went on a 15-8 run to close out the game, including a three-pointer by
Boreika Burwell with five minutes remaining to put Ferrum up 70-66. Greensboro would get as close as two points at 73-71 on Marla Crawford's three-pointer with 1:28 remaining.
Kipps led the Panthers with 16 points, including going 8-10 at the free-throw line.
Jacole Hairston and Burwell had 15 points each. Goins had 14 points,12 of those coming from behind the arc. Smith's 13 assists mark the second time this season that the senior guard posted double digit assists.
For Greensboro, Chevena Pickard had 19 points and was 5-8 behind the arc. Shanita Hampton added 16 for Greensboro as well. Crawford and Kennethia Smith had 14 and 12 points, respectively.
The Panthers play next at Piedmont College in Demorest, Georgia, Friday, January 24th. The USA South double-header gets underway at 5:30 p.m. with the women's game, and the men to follow at 7:30 p.m.