Women's Basketball Advances to AAC Semifinals

By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media

KINGSPORT, Tenn. – On a day that started with a major upset, Reinhardt women's basketball survived and advanced to the semifinals of the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Championship, 68-56, over Tennessee Wesleyan inside the MeadowView Marriott Conference Resort & Convention Center.

The 22^nd-ranked team in the NAIA improved to 26-2 on the year after using a pair of big quarters – the second (19-10) and fourth periods (16-10) – to put some space between them and the Bulldogs en route to the victory.

The Eagles were once again paced by their two first teamers within the AAC, as Catherine Shope led all scorers with 20 points (7-for-7 free throws) and seven rebounds. Bethany Headrick notched yet another double-double with 17 points and 11 boards.

Brittany Burnett was the third Reinhardt player in double figures with 11 tallies and a half-dozen rebounds.

Tennessee Wesleyan, who won in a blowout the night before against Montreat (N.C.), kept the momentum rolling in the opening stanza against the second-seeded Eagles with a 17-17 first 10 minutes. Reinhardt was able to clamp down on both ends of the floor and open up a nine-point lead heading into the locker room after holding the Bulldogs to just 10 points in the second quarter. 

Now ahead, 36-27, Tennessee Wesleyan made things interesting by dictating the pace of the game once again – this time, winning the third period (19-16) – and staying within striking distance heading into the final stretch of action.

The Eagles would again turn up the heat on the defensive end and force their opposition into crucial mistakes down the stretch. Those miscues led to additional possessions and points as Reinhardt pulled away in the end with a six-point cushion in the final stanza.

The hometown club forced 18 turnovers and registered nine steals in the victory.

Symone Williams, who was one of four players with two thefts, also added five points to go along with her eight rebounds and team-best three assists.

Overall, the team shot 24-for-65 (36.9 percent), hit six treys but missed eight free throws in 22 attempts.

Another primetime battle is on the horizon tomorrow evening, as Reinhardt takes on third-seeded Union (Ky.) at 8 p.m. with a spot in the conference final at stake.

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For more information on Reinhardt Women's Basketball, please click here.