North Greenville finished off the weekend with a 54-47 loss to the Pioneers of Tusculum University in Belmont, North Carolina. The Crusaders struggle in the first half, posting a .172 field goal percentage and falling behind by thirteen points at halftime. Although North Greenville improved drastically in the second half and outscoring the Pioneers 30-24, it would not be enough to overcome the first half, ultimately falling by seven. NGU led in points in the paint 26-18 but would allow thirteen second chance points while scoring just four.

Results

• Score: NGU 47 / TU 54
• Location: Wheeler Center / Belmont, NC
• Records: NGU 0-2 / TU 1-1

Recap

• Leading 5-4 just over four minutes into the opening quarter, Tusculum would score the next six to open up the lead to seven. NGU would go over four minutes without a point. Morgan Vulpis was able to end the drought with a three pointer, but the Pioneers would hit one themselves to make the score 14-7 at the end of the quarter.
• Tusculum would start the second quarter with another three pointer. However, NGU would respond with two free throws by Tolisha Walker and a three pointer by Abi Oates to cut the deficit to five. The Crusaders would then go on another dry spell, going over four minutes without scoring a point. That would allow TU to jump out to a thirteen point lead. Aniecia Malone would end the drought this time with a jumper, and Haylee Luttrell would score the final points of the half for NGU by way of a three pointer. The Pioneers would close out the half with a three of their own to make the score 30-17 at halftime.
• Haylee Luttrell would get the second half going with a layup. After a nine point run by Tusculum, the Crusaders were able to respond with an 11-2 run to cut the deficit to eleven. A layup in the final seconds would get TU back to a thirteen point lead at the end of the 3rd quarter.
• The Crusaders did not go down without a fight in the fourth quarter. NGU slowly but surely continued to cut into the TU lead, and were even able to put some doubt into the Pioneers by closing the deficit all the way down to five. However, it would prove to be too little too late as Tusculum would hang on for the win.

Individual

• Haylee Luttrell hit double digit points again with eleven along with three steals and two rebounds.
• Aniecia Malone scored eight points with two rebounds and an assist.
• Tolisha Walker posted double digit rebounds with ten while also scoring six points.

Upcoming

• NGU will play their first home game of the young season on Wednesday, November 17th against Young Harris College in Tigerville.