2004 NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball South Atlantic Regional

Monday, March 15, 2004 – Championship Game

AUGUSTA STATE DEFEATS GCSU FOR SCHOOL ’S FIRST REGIONAL TITLE

RALEIGH, NC – Augusta State University senior Alshaa’ Hodges poured in a career-high 33 points to lead the No. 8 seed Lady Jaguars to a 91-68 victory over Georgia College & State University in the championship game of the NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball South Atlantic Regional Tournament at Spaulding Gymnasium on the campus of Shaw University in Raleigh, NC.

Augusta State defeated the host and No. 1 seed Shaw University, No. 5 seed Armstrong Atlantic State University and No. 2 seed GCSU to win the regional championship in the school’s second trip to the NCAA women’s basketball post-season tournament. The Lady Jaguars also improved their overall record to 24-7, matching a school record.

“I’m in shock,” said ASU head coach Greg Wilson. “Not because we won, but how it happened. Tonight it worked in our favor, all night long.”

 ASU’s Hodges, a 5-8 guard from Memphis , Tenn. , hit 11-of-20 from the field, including 5-of-9 from three-point range, and 6-for-7 from the foul line, while also grabbing seven rebounds to earn Tournament Most Outstanding Player honors.

“I wanted the game to come to me and didn’t want to force anything,” said Hodges. “We’re getting on a plane and going to Missouri .”

Lady Jaguar senior guard Ernesia Wideman and junior guard Brandi Hollingsworth joined Hodges as members of the All-Tournament Team. Wideman enjoyed another all-around performance with 13 points, seven boards and seven assists, while Hollingsworth contributed 12 points. Junior forward Cheryl Audain amassed 19 points and a game-high 10 rebounds for ASU.

GCSU (28-6) had four Lady Bobcats score double-figures, topped by All-Tournament Team selections Antionette Long and Latia Love with 13 points apiece. Adrienne Tucker and Rachael Jackson contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively.

“In coaching, competition, intercollegiate athletics … sometimes you get the bear and sometimes the bear gets you. The bear got us tonight,” said GCSU head coach John Carrick. “If this was not our worst game of the season, it certainly was one of them. This one came at a really bad time.”

With the score knotted at 32-32 with 4:48 left to play in the first half, ASU went on a 14-5 tear to take a 46-37 lead with 40 seconds remaining before the break. Hollingsworth tallied eight points on two triples and a pair of free throws during the crucial first-half run. The Lady Jaguars took a 46-39 advantage into the locker room.

ASU stayed hot to start the second half, opening the final 20 minutes of action on a 15-4 run to make the cushion 61-43 at the 14:25 mark. The Lady Jaguar lead grew to as many as 24 points (88-64 at 2:14 ) before the bench was cleared.

Next up for Augusta State is the Elite Eight, where the Lady Jaguars will face Northeast Regional champion Merrimack College on Wednesday, March 24 ( 6 p.m. CT ) at the Civic Arena in St. Joseph , Missouri .

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