BIRMINGHAM – Glenville's trip to the Elite Eight began with major splash Monday afternoon, as Coach Kim Stephens' Lady Pioneers erupted for 69 first half points, then cruised for a victory over West Texas A&M in the quarterfinals.
GSU's pressure was intense from the start, rolling to a 33-11 lead by the end of the first quarter, and extending the advantage in the second quarter. The Lady Pioneers were lethal from long range early, hitting 10-of-17 from beyond the arc before intermission. The GSU pressure defense forced 17 Lady Buffalo turnovers in the first half.
Glenville increased the lead to 50 late in the third quarter, when a Vendela Danielsson three-pointer pushed the advantage to 86-36. They were able to cruise through the final stanza, and secure their advance to the Final Four on Wednesday night. They hit the century mark with 5:07 remaining with two Zakiyah Winfield free throws extending the lead to 100-47.
Glenville utilized a very balanced attack with five different Lady Pioneers hitting for double figures. Winfield led the way with 22 points, followed by Danielsson with 16, Mashayla Cecil 15, Re'Shawna Stone 14, Dazha Congleton 13, and Abby Stoller 13. Winfield posted a team-high eight rebounds, complemented by Stoller with six, and Congleton and Stone with five each.
GSU connected on 14 total three-pointers, led by the "Sniper Twins" – Mashayla Cecil with five and Danielsson with four. The Lady Pioneers ended the contest 14-of-25 from beyond the arc (56.0%). In total field goals they were 38-of-73 (52.1%). They were a perect 13-of-13 from the foul line, and won the team rebounding battle 44-35. West Texas A&M handled the pressure better in the second half, and closed the game with 23 total turnovers.
"We have went through spells the last two months where we have struggled to hit shots, but we have been able to get hot again the last two games," Coach Stephens said. "It all starts with our pressure defense, but when we are having that kind of success offensively, it makes everything fall into place."
Alivia Lewis led West Texas A&M with team-high of 14 points and nine rebounds. Karley Motschenbacher scored 12 and Taylor Williams 10. They shot 22-of-65 from the field (33.8%), and 4-of-19 from beyond the arc.
Glenville improves to 33-1 with the win. West Texas A&M closes their strong season at 26-11. They will face the winner of the Grand Valley-Missouri Western game at 7:00 (EST) on Wednesday night.
