Spring Break
Lady Bucs are going dancing
For first time in school's history the women's basketball team heads to field of 64
ETSUBucs.com
Issue date: 3/13/08 Section: Sports
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Seeing its 14-point lead dwindle to one, 68-67, with 2:19 to play, the Lady Bucs made some stops and received clutch shots from senior Kelly Turman (Atlanta). Turman pushed its lead up to three on two different possessions and a layup by Belcher and free throw by Siarre Evans (Griffin, Ga.) was all the offense ETSU needed down the stretch to preserve its victory.
The win moved ETSU to 21-11 overall and tied the school record for most wins in a single season. The Lady Bucs have also won eight straight and 15 of their last 16 games. ETSU's current winning streak ties the longest in program history as it has only been accomplished four different times.
Belcher's stellar play earned her Tournament MVP accolades as she averaged 19 points, seven rebounds and 5.3 steals over the three-game stretch. The Martinsville, Va., native recorded her second steal of the game at the right time.
Her pick with one second remaining ended the ball game and punched ETSU's ticket to the Big Dance; bringing the Lady Buccaneer faithful to their feet chanting A-Sun Champs!
Senior Michele DeVault (Columbus, Ohio) and sophomores TaRonda Wiles (Danville, Va.) and (Siarre) Evans also earned a spot with Belcher on the all-tournament team.
DeVault averaged 13.7 points and drained 10 treys for the tournament, while Evans finished with 11.3 points and 6.3 rebounds. Wiles posted 11 points, six rebounds and four assists in Nashville as well as pitching in with nine points, nine rebounds and four assists on Saturday.
In the first half, Belcher ignited the Lady Bucs as she scored eight of their first 12 points to take an early seven point advantage, forcing Jacksonville to use its first timeout at the 15:40 mark.
Belcher continued her dominance in the paint by connecting on her first six shots and pushed the ETSU lead up to 10, 19-9, after coming through on an old-fashion three-point play with 11:57 remaining in the half.