AMERICUS – The Georgia Southwestern women's basketball team had six players shoot in double-digits on Monday evening against Peach Belt opponent Armstrong Atlantic in the Storm Dome. After going into one overtime the Lady Hurricanes came out victorious 91-88.
Danisha Green handled the ball well for the Hurricanes, adding 17 points, four rebounds, three assists, four steals. Jasmine McSwain also totaled 17 points for the night, while also grabbing seven rebounds, and two steals. Shaniece Sheffield was 6-for-10 from the field, contributing 16 points. Shatoria Hudson played injured tonight but that didn't stop her from equaling her game average. Hudson added 14 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and one steal. Shanedra Lockett and Sierra Barrino-Kennedy added ten points each.
Armstrong's Tyler Carlson was able to make the first four points of the game. The score didn't go past a four point difference until six minutes left in the half. Sheffield started the first lead for the Hurricanes after a three-pointer and two layups, 13:58 Hurricanes were up 12-9. The next lead for the Lady 'Canes came from a pair of layups from Green and Hudson, making the score 16-15 at 9:27. The Lady 'Canes achieve their next lead in the half over Armstrong at 5:58 after a three pointer by Barrino-Kennedy and a layup from Lockett, Hurricanes 30-21. McSwain ended the half with two made free throws, taking GSW into the half, leading 42-32. The Lady 'Canes were shooting an impressive 45.9% during the first half.
Over the first seven minutes of the half the Pirates went on an 18-7 scoring run, equaling the score 49-49 at 13:23. After a 30 second timeout GSW was back on track to take the lead again. The game was always within a six points. With 1:54 left on the clock Armstrong's Amber Howell, Carlson, and Brigitta Barta were able to equalize the score at 67-67. Sheffield made her free throws and Green made a layup within the next 20 seconds, putting GSW up by four. The Pirates didn't give up just yet. Armstrong's Barta and Johnson were able to make two free throws and a layup to even it up again and take the game into the first round of overtime.
Sheffield, Green, and Hudson led GSW in an 8-4 run at the beginning. When the score reached 79-78, Armstrong started to foul in hopes to match points. Sending Lockett and Hudson to the line, GSW up 82-78. Then McSwain made a crucial three pointer at 1:57, GSW 85-78. Hudson committed her 5th foul of the game with a minute left. Beginning a 8-2 run by Armstrong, Carlson made a three pointer at 00:38, GSW leading 89-88. At 00:20 Armstrong's Carlson was sent to the bench with her 5th foul. This foul sent McSwain to the line where she gave the ladies a 2 point lead. In a last ditch effort, Armstrong's Howell committed her 5th foul with only seconds left, sending Barrino-Kennedy to the line where she made the final basket of the game. The Lady 'Canes won 91-88.
The last time the Lady 'Canes won in overtime was Feb. 22, 2012 against Georgia College 91-85.
The Lady 'Canes improve to 7-8, 2-6 PBC. The Pirates move onto a record of 9-6, 4-5 PBC. Armstrong Atlantic still leads the all-time series against GSW 9-2.
Armstrong had six players score in double-digits tonight also. Howell added 17 points, and Carlson and Barta added 16 each.
The Lady Hurricanes are back in action at home on Thursday, January 23, to take on North Georgia in another Peach Belt Conference game at 5:30 p.m. Following the game and before the men's basketball game, there will be a short ceremony to name the basketball court after former men's basketball coach and Interim Athletic Director Randolph Barksdale.