Gaffney, S.C.—The North Greenville Women’s Basketball team opened its 2010 regular season Tuesday evening falling to Limestone College 64-48 after shooting just 28 percent from the field.

The Lady Crusaders opened the game with a 6-0 run and held on to a small lead until the two-minute mark when the Saints took a one point lead. NGU seized a one point lead with a minute left but Limestone would battle back to take a one point advantage into intermission.

Limestone extended its lead to three only seconds into the second half before Christina Carlis evened the score at 31 with a three pointer. Limestone broke the 31 all tie with a quick two pointer. The Saints clung to a single digit lead until the nine minute mark of the second half when they extended their lead to 10 (44-34).

Limestone’s largest lead over the Crusaders was 16. The Lady Saints finished the final five minutes of the game on a 13-5 run. “We just couldn’t put the ball in the basket tonight for some reason,” remarked head coach Jayne Arledge after her team made just 17 of 61 shots (27.9%) from the field.

“This just wasn’t a good game for us. We need to improve and we need more determination on offense and defense,” says Arledge. “It was our first game. It’s a long season and we have plenty of time to get better.”

Karly Stache was the offensive leader for NGU with ten points. As a team the Crusaders collected just 17 rebounds.

The Lady Crusaders will rest Wednesday before opening up their 2010 home schedule Thursday night at 5:30pm against Belmont Abbey.