Win And Advance: Coastal Georgia Powers Past Thomas to Move On to TSC Semifinals
BRUNSWICK, Ga. – Behind strong second and third quarters, third-seeded Coastal Georgia women’s basketball posted a 73-57 victory over sixth-seeded Thomas in the opening round of The Sun Conference Women’s Basketball Championship Tournament Presented by Olympus Insurance. In their first season as a member of The Sun Conference, the Mariners (18-10) now advance to Friday’s semifinal game against second-seeded St. Thomas at 7 p.m. in Lakeland, Fla.
After a close first quarter, Thomas’ Samantha Gilbert hit a buzzer-beating jumper to conclude the game’s first 10 minutes and put the Night Hawks up 19-18.
Stout Mariner defense limited Thomas (9-16) to just five points in the second quarter. Coastal Georgia opened the quarter with a quick five-point run that included a free throw and a layup from Danesha Murray. Keeping Thomas scoreless for the quarter’s final 3:26, the Mariners used a six-point run to take a 33-24 lead going into halftime.
Shooting 53.3 percent (8-for-15) in the third quarter allowed Coastal Georgia to continue to extend its lead. Coastal took several 13-point leads during that period, including at 31 seconds as Solrun Gisladottir connected on a pair of free throws to make it 55-42.
Although Thomas cut the Mariners’ lead down to 12 in the final quarter, Coastal Georgia sealed the game with a 12-2 run. Sydney Segroves’ shot clock-beating jumper at 1:36 fell cleanly through the basket to make it 73-51 and cap off the run. Thomas finished the game by scoring the last six points – four from Kriza Allen and two from Pkacia Johnson.
A trio of Mariners scored in double-figures with Romny Felts leading the way with 18 points. Quira Porter added in 14, while Brianna Gipson scored 12. Murray was just one point and one rebound away from a double-double, tallying nine points and a game-best nine rebounds.
Coastal Georgia shot 44.1 percent (26-for-59) and had a 43-39 rebounding advantage.
Allen scored a game-high 25 points, and led Thomas with eight rebounds.
Thomas was 34.5 percent (19-for-55) from the floor.