Box Score Box Score
SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- The Wofford women's basketball team overcame a poor shooting start to rally for a 58-44 victory against UNC Greensboro in Southern Conference action Saturday night inside the Benjamin Johnson Arena in Spartanburg, S.C. The defense helped lead the Terriers to the win, forcing 29 turnovers and limiting the Spartans to 21.8 percent from the field.
UNC Greensboro (1-8, 0-1 SoCon) jumped on top early as Wofford struggled from the field itself, building a 13-3 advantage at the 11:41 mark of the first half. The Terriers missed 10 field goals in 11 attempts with the only make by junior Liz Miller at 14:47. Her jumper brought Wofford within one, 4-3, before Kemena Brooks scored five straight for the Spartans, including a 3-pointer at 14:24, to start a 9-0 run.
Junior Kate Dempsey the converted the second Terrier field goal at 11:23, triggering a combined eight-straight points between her and fellow post Kathlyn Varno. Sophomore Natalie Gramblin banked in a triple from the top of the key to pull Wofford (4-4, 1-1 SoCon) within two, 16-14, at 7:13 but Meghan Chamberlain put back her own miss to answer. Varno then added her third bucket in as many attempts and junior Laura Depko stole a backcourt pass and raced to the other end to give the Terriers a tie at 18-18 with 5:37 to play forcing a 30-second timeout.
Freshman Mahagony Williams then gave Wofford its first lead, 20-18, at 3:53 and junior Summer Nichols added to the lead with her shot at 2:32, capping a 19-5 Terrier surge. After Kendra Smith brought UNC Greensboro back within one, 23-22, with 1:41 to play in the half, Miller connected on a pair of charity tosses to give Wofford a three-point, 25-22, lead at the break.
Back-to-back jumpers by sophomore Kelly Dwyer early in the second half increased the Terrier edge to seven, 29-22, and then following a UNCG turnover, the visitors called another 30-second timeout. The Spartans inched back into the contest, bringing the margin down to two, 29-27, on an Ashley Ling 3-pointer at 16:58. Miller then answered with her own trey on Wofford's next possession.
The Spartans allowed the lead to swell to six, but Brittany Frazier hit 1-of-2 free throws and Ashley Mullins hit a jumper to bring them back within three, 35-32, at 13:26. Williams then began a 14-7 Terrier run, which was highlighted by triples from Gramblin and Depko.
Frazier converted another set of free throws to trim the deficit to eight, 49-41, with 5:31 showing on the clock before Wofford rattled off another eight straight on a 3-pointer by Miller, jumper by Nichols and trey from Dwyer giving the Terriers their largest lead at 16, 57-41, at the 3:14 mark.
Miller finished with a game-high 12 points, giving her 505 for her career, in addition to six steals on the defensive end. She becomes the 35th player in program history to reach the 500-point plateau. Williams nearly had her first career double-double, adding nine points and a game-best eight rebounds.
Frazier paced the Spartans, who lost for only the second time ever to the Terriers, with 10 points. Brooks and Ling hauled in a team-high six boards.
Wofford will return to action at the UNF Holiday Classic Tuesday and Wednesday in Jacksonville, Fla. The Terriers begin tournament play at 5 p.m. Tuesday against Savannah State before facing host North Florida at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
