Lander Upsets Tusculum 83-78 in NCAA Regional

FLORENCE, S.C. - Stephanie Ponds scored a game-high 31 points and grabbed 16 rebounds to lead the seventh-seeded Lander women's basketball team to an 83-78 upset over second-seeded Tusculum College Friday night in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II South Atlantic Regional tournament hosted by Francis Marion in the Smith University Center.

Lander, which improves to 23-11 overall, will face third-seeded Clayton State at 8 p.m. Saturday in the semifinal round. The win was the first NCAA tournament victory for Lander in four tries.

Tusculum finishes the season with a 26-5 overall record.

Ponds, who tied her career high in points, connected on 13-of-22 field goals and had six offensive rebounds. Kianna Smith added 15 points and six assists, Tiara Good had 11 points and five rebounds, and LaShonda Chiles netted 10 points.

The Lady Pioneers were led by three-point, sharp-shooter Ashli Oliver, who connected on 8-of-14 treys and 2-of-3 free throws for 26 points, while Jasmine Gunn added 21 points and 11 assists.

The Lady Bearcats, who out-rebounded Tusculum 44-40, connected on 34-of-78 field goals for 43.6 percent and made 15-of-24 free throws for 64.3 percent.

Tusculum was 29-of-62 from the field for 46.8 percent, including 11-of-23 from the three-point line for 47.8 percent. The Lady Pioneers made 9-of-14 free throws fro 64.3 percent.

The Pioneers, who led 41-38 at halftime, stretched their lead to 60-50 on an Oliver three pointer with 13:02 left in the game. Lander cut the margin to 62-56 on a Chiles jumper then went on a 10-2 run to take a 66-64 lead on a Good layup with 7:49 left in the game.

Freshman TaSheba Butler made two free throws with 41 seconds left to give Lander a 81-78 lead, and on the ensuing possession Chiles missed two free throws only to have Ponds grab the rebound and score Lander's final two points with 22 seconds left.