Tigerville, S.C.—The North Greenville women’s basketball team cemented its spot in the Conference Carolinas post season tournament on Tuesday night, toppling fourth place King University 69-45, on senior night in Hayes Gymnasium.

The Crusaders trailed only once during 40 minutes of regulation on a three pointer from King’s Stephanie Brantley with 18:41 on the clock. The Tornado’s only lead of the game quickly dissipated however, as NGU scored the next nine points to take a 9-3 advantage. The Crusaders would by as many as 13 points during the half, but the Tornado chizzled the NGU advantage down to seven points as the two teams headed to the locker for halftime.

NGU would begin to pour it on in the second half however, taking advantage of a dominant inside game, as well as King turnovers. The Crusaders abused the lane during the second half to the tune of 30 points to just four points for the Tornado. NGU also pocketed 11 points off of nine King University turnovers. Jaquazha Barrino led the charge in the paint for NGU, scoring 12 points on 6-11 shooting.

Senior Krisceda Cotton led the Crusaders in scoring, accounting for 13 points to go along with seven total rebounds. Timisty Nelson was also in double figures for the Crusaders with 12 points. Aliyah Stokes also turned in a solid game, scoring nine points, all from beyond the three point arch. Senior Ciara Anderson added three points, but registered two steals on defense. As a team the Crusaders shot 4.3.3% from the field, while holding the Tornado to 13 of 55 shooting, (23.6%).

North Greenville would lead by as many as 25 points during the half, as the Tornado had no answer for the energetic Crusaders. The Crusaders locked up the 8^th seed in the conference playoffs, and will likely head to Gaffney for another game with Limestone College. Times for the playoff games will be released after Thursday’s regular season finales.