2004 NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball South Atlantic Regional

Friday, March 12, 2004 - Opening Round

ARMSTRONG ATLANTIC TURNS NORTH FLORIDA MISCUES INTO VICTORY

 RALEIGH, NC – Armstrong Atlantic State University took advantage of several University of North Florida miscues to earn a 75-68 victory in the opening round of the NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball South Atlantic Regional Tournament at Spaulding Gymnasium on the campus of Shaw University in Raleigh, NC.

AASU converted 22 Lady Osprey turnovers into 28 points, while North Florida scored just 13 points off 13 Lady Pirate mishaps.

Senior guard Tasha Washington and senior forward Vandy Noldon handled most of the AASU (23-7) scoring load, with Washington tallying 21 points and Noldon adding 17. Lady Pirate sophomore guard Alicia Durham recorded 10 points and eight steals in 39 minutes of action.

“I’m very proud of the way our kids handled themselves,” said AASU head coach Roger Hodge. “We always talk about keeping composure when you’re up or down. We fought back, and it reflected the character they’ve had all year long.  North Florida’s got an incredible team and we’re honored to advance.”

UNF (24-6) was topped by senior Skye Barber with 15 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. Latisha Perry and Brittney Davis chipped in 13 points each, while Kim Smith added 10 for the Lady Ospreys.

“We started off really shaky … nervous, but we settled down and came out in the second half and did a much better job,” said UNF head coach Mary Tappmeyer. “We made a run on them, got a lead, and then gave up a couple of huge offensive rebounds they put back for scores and got right back into the game.”

In a game that saw three ties and 10 lead changes, AASU held a 35-24 advantage following a three-pointer by Durham at 2:42 of the first half. UNF’s Davis scored the final five points before the break to cut the deficit to 35-29 at intermission.

UNF turned the tide to open the second stanza, taking a 51-44 lead on a pair of free throws by Barber at 12:58 to close an 18-5 run. The Lady Pirates responded with a 17-4 streak to go ahead 67-60 with 2:16 left in the game.

AASU converted 8-of-9 free throws in the closing minute to hold on the mid-upset.

“It was a game of runs,” said Tappmeyer. “They got some huge offensive rebounds and we had some crucial turnovers. We didn’t play very good basketball.”

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