BREVARD, N.C. – The fourth-seeded Brevard College women's basketball team (15-10) won the program's first playoff game in the NCAA-era, defeating no. 5 Maryville College (11-14) 73-64 in the First Round of the USA South Conference Tournament on Saturday evening at the Boshamer Gymnasium.
Four Tornados reached double-figure scoring totals, as Aysha Short led the way with 15 points off the bench, while Makenna Parkins had a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Destiny Williams had a double-double with 11 points and 12 boards, while Shakirah Thompson hit three 3-pointers to total 11 points.
Brevard held Maryville to just 32% shooting from the field while the Tornados hit nine 3-pointers. BC dominated the boards, 52-36, and scored 17 second-chance buckets. BC scored 30 points in the paint and totaled 32 bench points, which proved the difference as Brevard outscored Maryville 32-2 bench points.
Maryville was led by Courtney Carruthers, who scored 24 points and made eight field goals. Jordan Heifner totaled 14 points, while Shelby Hix had 11 points and three 3-pointers.
The first quarter proved hotly contested, as the Scots held a one-point lead, 14-13, at the end of the period.
Brevard started the second period on a 12-0 scoring run that put the Tornados up by 11, 25-14, with 7:08 left in the second quarter. This run led helped Brevard take an 11-point lead, 37-26, as the playoff contest moved into the third quarter.
BC was able to extend its lead to a 14-point margin, 56-42, as the matchup headed into the fourth quarter. Maryville was able to cut the lead to a four-point margin, 65-61, with 3:05 left as the game moved into crunch time. Parkins hit a critical 3-pointer to put the Tornados on top by seven, 68-61, with 2:06 left to play. Parkins then hit a pair of free throws that put BC on top by six, and got a pair of key defensive stops en route to clinching the 73-64 postseason win.
Brevard now advances to the quarterfinals of the USA South Tournament, as the Tornados will face Berea on Tuesday at 6 p.m. in Berea, Kentucky.
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