Hornets handle Squirrels

Daily Staff Report - sports@nvdaily.com

Shenandoah University kept its chances alive for a home game at the upcoming USA South Conference women's basketball tournament with a 74-65 victory at Mary Baldwin on Tuesday.

Shenandoah (14-8, 10-6 USA South) tied the school record it set last season for conference wins in a season with the victory over the Squirrels (10-12, 8-9).

The win, the seventh straight for SU over MBC, also sets up a three-way tie for third place in the league between Shenandoah, Methodist and Averett.

The Hornets face Methodist in Fayetteville on Friday night, and a Shenandoah victory in that game will virtually assure the Hornets a home game next week in the conference tournament quarterfinals.

Regardless, SU will be no lower than a No. 5 seed in the tourney.

Trailing 40-39 at the break, Shenandoah held the Squirrels to just 30.6 percent shooting (11-for-36) from the field in the final 20 minutes while making 50 percent (13-for-26) of its shots.

Senior Katherine Flint led a group of four players in double figures with 20 points and seven rebounds, while classmate Alexis Hargbol added 14 points and six boards.

Juniors Stephanie Holton and Sierra Edwards rounded out this group with 13 and 11 points, respectively.