FERRUM, Va. - Shea Smith led the floor with 20 points as top-seeded Ferrum College went on to take a convincing 79-53 USA South Women's Basketball Tournament quarterfinal victory over #8 Meredith College tonight at Swartz Gymnasium. The Panthers won the USA South regular season title, earning the right to host the league's post-season tournament.

Along with Smith, Katy Kipps and Jacole Hairston were able to get into double-digit scoring with 14 and 12 points, respectively. Kylene Culler had a game high seven rebounds and Hairston was able to pick up four steals for the Panthers on defense. For Meredith (9-17), Tyler Gresham led the team with eight points while Keyanka Bailey had four blocks.

In a very closely played first half, Ferrum (24-2) took a 35-32 lead into the break. Meredith's 57% shooting percentage was the biggest difference as Ferrum only shot 37% in the first half. Smith and Kipps were both in double-digits with 11 and 10 points at the half as well. Ferrum opened the second half with a 27-10 run and never looked back as they went on to win by a 26 point margin.

In other quarterfinal action, LaGrange College beat Greensboro College 68-58, Maryville College beat North Carolina Wesleyan College 70-63, and Methodist University beat Piedmont College 77-51.

Ferrum (24-2) will face #5 Methodist University in Friday's semifinals at 7:00 p.m. LaGrange and Maryville wil play in the other semifinal at 5:00 p.m.



USA South Women's Basketball Tournament

First Round - Thursday, February 27
#2 North-Greensboro - 58 #3 South-LaGrange - 68
#1 South-Maryville - 70 #4 North-N.C. Wesleyan - 63
#2 South-Piedmont - 51 #3 North-Methodist - 77
#1 North-Ferrum - 79 #5 North-Meredith - 53

Semifinals - Friday, February 28
#3 South-LaGrange vs. #1 South-Maryville - 5:00pm
#3 North-Methodist vs. #1 North-Ferrum - 7:00pm

Finals - Saturday, March 1
Semifinal Winners - 2:00pm