The quickness of the Guilford Women’s basketball team couldn’t hold off cross town rival Greensboro College on Nov. 21 as they fell to the Pride 85-77. Guilford came into Tuesday night’s game with a 1-1 record after the Guilford College Tip-Off Tournament.
Since their game against McMurry, Head Coach Stephanie Flamini had been getting her team ready for their non-conference rival. “We worked on weaknesses from the second game (of the tournament) to better prepare for this game,” said Flamini in a pre-game interview.
“We prepare for each game like it’s a conference game.”
Guilford lost the tip-off but took a 7-2 lead in the first minute and a half of the game. Both teams battled back and forth until Greensboro took a 9-point lead, their largest of the half.
Greensboro maintained a sizeable lead until the Quakers struck back with one minute left to narrow the gap to 4. Greensboro hit a free throw to go back up by 5. With 31 seconds left in the half, first-year Joclyn Terry hit a three pointer to bring the Quakers within two. Finally, with time running out, sophomore Brittany Bumgarner hit a buzzer-beating jumper to tie the game at 39 going into half-time.
“It’s good to see Guilford close the half by using their speed and quickness on the perimeter” said senior spectator Ben Bizier.
Half-time entertainment was provided by Guilford students playing dodge ball on the court. The light hearted competition kept the crowd’s interest until the players warmed up for the second half.
Guilford continued to battle into the second half, taking advantage of their speed and keeping the game close. With eight and a half minutes left in the game, the Quakers took a 2- point lead. It would ultimately be their last lead of the game.
Greensboro began to take control with a three-pointer by sophomore guard Jamie Motsinger. Guilford then went on a three-minute, 49-second drought.
Greensboro had taken a 78-73 lead and with 49 seconds left. Out of desperation, The Quakers were forced to foul. In the remainder of the game Guilford fouled Greensboro four times, from which Greensboro scored seven points.
Guilford’s leading scorers were first-years Alexa Williams with 21 points and Joclyn Terry with 20.
“They have some shooters that aren’t afraid to shoot the ball,” said senior Logan Collier.
Regardless of their feelings on shooting the ball, free throws told the story of this game. Greensboro scored 20 points on free throws, while Guilford only attempted seven.
SAAC, Guilford’s Student Athlete Advisory Committee, put on the dodge ball game at half time. They also handed out free Guilford athletics t-shirts in an attempt to pique student interest in Guilford athletics. SAAC’s goal is to build community between student athlete’s and non-student athletes on campus.
Three hundred and twenty-five fans came to Ragan Brown to watch the rivalry. “I came out to support the team, and the free t-shirt is great,” said junior Andrew Mclannon.
The Quakers take the floor again on Wednesday, Dec. 6, versus Emory and Henry at 7 p.m in the Ragan-Brown field house.