Box Score Box Score

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Despite double-double performances from both Liz Miller and Mahagony Williams, Georgia Southern hung on to nip the Wofford women’s basketball team, 62-61, in Southern Conference action on Monday afternoon.

The Eagles opened the game with a 7-2 run, and widened their lead to seven by the 13 minute mark. A three-pointer from Maddie Helms keyed a seven-point run for the Terriers that tied the score at 19 with seven minutes remaining in the half, but five points from Georgia Southern’s Ashley Rivens helped give the Eagles their largest lead of the half, at 33-22. A late push by the Terriers sparked by another three-pointer from Helms cut the Eagle lead to seven heading into halftime.

Georgia Southern was able to maintain a steady lead to start the second half, but the Terriers turned up their defense and were able to cut the Eagles’ lead to three points with 9:37 remaining and again with 8:58 to play. A made free throw from Kate Dempsey cut the lead again, and a layup from Miller tied the game at 49.

The Eagles’ Ashley Rivens responded eight seconds later with a three-pointer, but the Terriers fought to keep the score close and tied the game again at the 3:30 mark. A string of four free-throws gave the Eagles a four-point lead, but a pair of good free-throws by Miller and a jumper from Williams put Wofford within one point with only 40 seconds remaining. Despite the Terriers’ best efforts and a last-second shot from Miller, Wofford was unable to pull out the upset, falling 62-61 to the Eagles on Senior Night.

Georgia Southern was led by senior Ashley Riven’s 19 points, while senior Ashley Melson added 16 points and led the team with seven rebounds. J’Lisia Ogburn contributed 10 points and also collected seven boards for the Eagles. Georgia Southern capitalized on the Terriers’ miscues, turning 21 turnovers into 23 points.

Wofford’s Miller turned in a career performance for the second straight game, grabbing a career-high 11 rebounds en route to a double-double with a team-leading 14 points. Sophomore Mahagony Williams also recorded a double-double, with 13 points and 15 rebounds. Senior Kate Dempsey added 11 points and sophomore Maddie Helms contributed 10.

With the loss, Wofford falls to 5-22 on the season and 3-16 in the Southern Conference while Georgia Southern improves to 16-12 overall and 11-8 in league play. The Terriers will travel to Western Carolina on Saturday, February 28 for their final regular season game of the year. Tip-off is set for 4:00 p.m. in the Ramsey Center.