Greenville Women Advance in NCCAA Tourney

The Greenville College women's basketball team is one win away from an appearance in the NCCAA national championship game after taking a 78-73 win over Southwestern Christian in the quarterfinals of the NCCAA national tournament.  This is the first women's basketball team to ever win a game at the NCCAA national championships.

Greenville jumped out to an early lead with a 17-10 advantage with 3:52 remaining in the first quarter.  Southwestern Christian battled back to take an 18-17 lead after one period as they made their three-point attempt at the buzzer.

The Panthers tied the game at 21-21 and eventually took a 24-23 lead when Laura Goodnight converted a three-pointer with 4:21 to go in the half.  Greenville led by one, 34-33, at the intermission.

The third quarter was controlled by Southwestern Christian as SCU eventually took an eight point 49-41 advantage with 4:27 on the clock in the period.  The score stood at 55-49 after three quarters.

Greenville went on a 13-0 run spanning the first five minutes of the fourth quarter as they took a lead that they would never relinquish.  Southwestern got the score within four points, but Greenville wouldn't let them get any closer.

Goodnight was Greenville's leading scorer with 23 points with eight baskets, including two three-pointers, and a 5-of-8 mark at the free throw line.

Taylor Paulin provided 16 points, eight rebounds, and three assists. Wesley Woodard chipped in a 12 point game. Jantzen Michael, an Effingham High School graduate, scored two points, had four rebounds and one assist. Other local members of the team include EHS' Lauren Stephenson and Stewardson-Strasburg graduate Lindsay Burton.

The Panthers improved their record to 21-9, which is the second-most wins in a single-season in Greenville's women's basketball history.  Only the AIAW state champion 1979-80 squad posted more wins with a record of 22-7.

Greenville will play Roberts Wesleyan at 6 p.m. Thursday night in a matchup of sister Free Methodist institutions.  A win over Roberts Wesleyan would put Greenville in the NCCAA national championship game Saturday at 4 p.m. and they will play Saturday at 11 a.m. in the third place game in the event of a loss.