USA South Release

2014 USA South Women's Basketball Tournament Championship Game

FERRUM, Va. - Ferrum College's dominant second half performance proved to be too much for Maryville College as the Panthers took home the 2014 USA South Women's Basketball Tournament championship with a 64-50 victory this afternoon in Swartz Gymnasium.

Tournament MVP Shea Smith, had 11 points and four assists. Also in double-digit scoring for the Panthers wereAll-Tournament selections Jacole Hairston with 12 points and Katy Kipps with 14 points. Kylene Culler led the team with eight rebounds.

For Maryville, All-Tournament selection Lauren Burnett had nine points to go with 11 rebounds. Lauren Trent led all scorers with 15 points, and was also named to the all-Tournament Team. Maryville created some early momentum in the first half by going on a 12-2 run to make it a 12-6 lead for the Scots (22-6) at the 11:59 mark. Ferrum was able to swing the momentum in their favor after closing off the half with a 12-4 run to take a 31-25 lead into the break. The Panthers would open up an 11-point lead courtesy of a 13-4 run in the second half and hung on to win the title.

This is the second USA South Tournament title for Ferrum (26-2) in the past three years. With the win, Coach Bryan Harvey's team earned an automatic bid into the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Tournament, the Panthers' third straight. Tournament pairings will be announced Monday.

USA South All-Tournament Team
Lauren Burnett, Maryville
Jacole Hairston, Ferrum
Jordan Ballard, Maryville
Katy Kipps, Ferrum
Lauren Trent, Maryville
Shea Smith, Ferrum (MVP)