Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 26, 1995 TAG: 9502280036
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. LENGTH: Medium
Ferrum blew an early 13-point lead, but dominated in overtime as the Panthers captured their first Dixie Conference Tournament title and NCAA Division III Tournament bid with a 90-84 victory over Methodist in women's basketball.
Ferrum (18-8) led by 13 points in the first half and by 10 with five minutes left in the game, but the Battlin' Bishops went on a 19-9 run to close the second half. Stefanie Duncan hit a 3-pointer with 52 seconds left to pull Methodist to 74-72, then hit another with 37 seconds left to tie the score at 77.
Glossary Smith, who scored 19 points and grabbed 23 rebounds, scored with nine seconds left in regulation to give Ferrum a 79-77 lead, but Methodist's Kim Williams hit a driving shot at the buzzer to force overtime.
In the extra period, Kia Williams, who was named the tournament's MVP, hit two free throws with less than three minutes to go to give the Panthers the lead for good. She then hit a layup and was fouled. Her free throw - one of a game-high 26 points - gave Ferrum an 86-82 lead.
After a Methodist basket, freshman Aimee Barker hit two free throw with one minute left to give the Panthers a four-point lead, and Kia Williams added two free throws to provide the final margin.
Methodist (12-14) was led by Teresa McMillian, who scored 21 points. Katina Thorne and Sharnel Dunn added 17 each.
McMillian, Smith and Kia Williams made the all-tournament team, along with Kathy Hackenson of North Carolina Wesleyan and Dolmesha Stallings from Christopher Newport.
Ferrum will learn its opponent for the first round of the NCAA Tournament when the pairings are announced tonight.
FERRUM (90)
Kia Williams 26, Barker 14, Randon 12, Smith 19, Ferguson-Jamison 9, Martin 10.
METHODIST (84)
Duncan 10, Dunn 17, Huber 4, Taylor 2, Kim Williams 13, McMillian 21, Thorne 17.
Halftime-Ferrum 44, Methodist 34. Regulation-79-79. Three-point goals: Ferguson-Jamison 3, Duncan 3, Kim Williams 2.
by CNB