Tigerville, SC – In their second meeting of the year the Valkyries and the Crusaders gave the fans an absolute classic. The game came down to the final seconds of the game where the Valkyries took advantage of a couple North Greenville turnovers. In the end, the Valkyries extended their one spot lead over the Crusaders in the conference standings by edging out the Crusaders 47 – 49.
The Crusaders executed early and often scoring the first seven points of the game before giving up a free throw at the 6:41 mark. The team shared the ball well with three different players scoring during the run. With 2:03 remaining in the first quarter the Crusaders found themselves ahead 17 – 1. This run was thanks to exceptional dribble-drive takes by the Crusader starters. North Greenville’s leading scorer, Karen Donehew (Junior) and freshman Haylee Luttrell worked their defenders backing down their girls and finishing at the rum. Ty Saunders (Sophomore) and Ayano Shelton (Junior) were flashes of lighting cutting cross the lane and baseline before finishing the ball.
After the first quarter, the game was a back-and-forth battle with the Valkyries pushing back against the relentless Crusader offensive attack. Both teams put together runs throughout the game with the Crusaders holding a four-point lead through most of the game. The Crusaders were led by Saunders who finished the night 6 – 14. Saunders made timely baskets throughout the second and third quarter keeping the Valkyries from ever taking the lead.
In the forth, the Crusaders held the four-point lead over the Valkyries until the very end. In the final seconds of the game an old fashioned three-point play brought the Valkyries within one point of the Crusader lead. On an inbound with 23 seconds left the Crusaders made a critical turnover that cost them the lead. During the next possession the Crusaders could not hit their final shot of the evening to retake the lead and the Valkyries made one free throw to push the lead to two.
Individual:
Karen Donehew led the Crusaders with 15 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals, and 4 blocks.
Ty Saunders finished with 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals.
Upcoming:
The Crusaders now go on the road for two games playing Southern Wesleyan on February 12th and Lincoln Memorial on Valentines Day. The Crusaders come back home on Saturday, February 16th to host King University for Senior night in Tigerville.
