The Edward Waters Lady Tigers fought hard in their first-ever NCAA Division II Basketball Tournament, but it ultimately wasn’t enough, falling short in a 95-85 loss to the University of Alabama at Huntsville (UAH).
Amelya Hatch led EWU off the bench, scoring a game-high 25 points on 60% shooting, hitting three three-pointers.
Hatch’s scoring depth was a key factor in keeping her team in the game as UAH, playing with a condensed lineup, only got five points from its bench.
Shcira Fowles contributed 18 points on 75% shooting and eight rebounds, while Tan Brown scored 15 points, connecting on three three-pointers of her own.
Edward Waters’ loss comes in spite of one of its strongest offensive showings of the season, shooting 50% from the field and 38% from three-point range (won in previous two instances).
In addition, the Lady Tigers did a great job of taking care of the ball, committing a season-low seven turnovers.
On the other hand, Alabama-Huntsville’s offensive attack was a lot for them to overcome as they shot 68% from the field through three quarters.
After struggling for the lead in the opening period, UAH did not trail for the remainder of the contest, leading by as many as 14 points, and taking an 11-point lead into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter, however, Edward Waters gave them a test, starting the period on a 9-1 run after hitting its three of its first four shots in the period, including a pair of and-ones.
Fowles kept the Lady Tigers afloat down the stretch of the contest, scoring 10 points in the period, but it wasn’t enough as UAH would put the game away at the free-throw line.
Edward Waters ends its historic season with a 23-7 overall record.
