WBB: Southern Athletic Association

[Ron Boerger]

Centre's unexpected 67-65 loss at home to Sewanee, who prior to today's game were 1-12 in SAA play, gave the SAA regular-season championship to Trinity just as they tipped off with Southwestern.  The Pirates had the better run of play in the first half behind strong performance on the boards and led by seven at the half.  The Tigers came out with a better game plan in the second half, rapidly overcame the deficit to lead by seven after three, and held on for a 71-68 win to earn their first SAA trophy in style.  Depite the loss, Southwestern's 4-10 record earned them the final seed for next weekend's championships at Mount Berry.

Thursday, Feb. 26: 
- noon EST: 4. Oglethorpe (17-8/9-5 SAA) vs. 5. Berry (15-10/9-5)
- 2pm EST:  3. Millsaps (18-7/9-5) vs. 6. Southwestern (13-12/4-10)

Friday, Feb. 27:
- noon EST: 1. Trinity (15-10/11-3 SAA) vs. 4-5 winner
- 2pm est:  2. Centre (19-6/9-5) vs 3-6 winner

Saturday, Feb 28:
- 3pm EST:  Friday winners play for SAA championship and NCAA bid

Broadcast/stat links (free, this year anyway) can be found here.

[Ron Boerger]

Given that five of the six teams in the championship were within two games of each other in the final SAA standings, the potential for "upsets" in the first two rounds was low, and that's how it's gone.

Thursday:

• #3 Millsaps 77, #6 Southwestern 69 - in a game that *was* closer than you'd expect, the Majors had to come back after trailing by two after three quarters.  The Majors got career highs from Tia Anderson (35) and Garin Freeman (28) as the Pirates held Elyse Warren, who battled foul trouble all day, to four points in 25 minutes.
• #5 Berry 49, #4 Oglethorpe 48 - in another comeback (the Vikings trailed by seven entering the final stanza), Briaiah Lewis' inside bucket with 21 seconds left was the difference.  Berry got the win despite a 47-33 Oglethorpe rebounding advantage due in no small part to a 22-10 disparity in turnovers favoring the Vikings.

Friday:

• #1 Trinity 73, #5 Berry 49 - the top-seeded Tigers built an eight-point lead at the half, then steadily pulled away from Berry in the second half to earn the right to play for their first SAA championship.  Kylie Minter led all scorers with a career high 29 including 7/10 from deep.
• #3 Millsaps 67, #2 Centre 58 - Elyse Warren returned to her usual form, scoring 19 and adding 21 boards, as the Majors maintained an early lead throughout before pulling away late.

Saturday's final should be a good one, as each team looks to avenge a loss to the other on their respective home floors.

[Ron Boerger]

Trinity's quest to return to the NCAAs after an 0-5 start was derailed by Millsaps, who forced 22 Tiger turnovers (including 15 steals) and enjoyed a 26-4 advantage from the line in a 72-66 comeback victory.  The Majors got 27 from Garin Freeman and 17 each from Tia Anderson and Elyse Warren, who for good measure added 17 boards.  Trinity got 23 and 10 from Kylie Minter and 10 from Natlie Greenwood, two of the six seniors that will have to be replaced before next season as the team will desperately need to develop shooters and an inside presence.