Tigerville, S.C.—The North Greenville Women’s basketball team won it’s first game of the 2010 season in comeback fashion tonight over Belmont Abbey 61-57 in Hayes Gymnasium.

The Crusaders only shot 39 percent from the field but hit shots when it counted including a three point play with 2:16 left in the game which gave the Crusaders a two point lead. Stache also hit two free throws with four seconds left which secured the four point victory over Belmont.

NGU trailed much of the first half holding only one lead two minutes into the game. The Crusaders of North Greenville were able however to hold the Crusaders of Belmont Abbey to a three point lead at intermission. Belmont never led by double digits.

The second 20 minutes of play saw nine lead changes and two ties and no team led by more than eight points. With North Greenville up two points with 1:27 the Belmont Crusaders looked as if but a layup by Kelsey Long missed its mark and NGU quickly gathered the defensive rebound ending the offensive threat.

Belmont Abbey had one more chance to take the lead with 16 seconds left but Shayla Jackson’s three point attempt from the top of the key sailed wide right as the North Greenville Crusaders picked up their first win of the season.

“My heart is still beating fast,” said coach Jayne Arledge after the close win. “It was a good win for our girls and it was good to pick the first one at home!”

Krisceda Cotton led the lady Crusaders with a game high 18 points while collecting five rebounds Karly Stache also scored a season high 16 points while Anjelica Wilcox also scored in double digits with 10 points. Christina Carlis led North Greenville with nine rebounds.

The Win over Belmont Abbey evens NGU’s record at 1-1 for the season and 1-0 at home. The Crusaders next game will be Saturday November 20^th at 6 pm in Hayes Gymnasium. Fans who attend the Victory Bowl at Younts Stadium at 1pm on Saturday will be given free admission the basketball games Saturday night.