#17 Southern Poly Defeats Brenau

Marietta, Ga. - The Brenau basketball team (9-4, 1-1) took on the #17 Southern Poly Hornets (12-2, 1-0) today and came up short 60-47 in SSAC action. The Tigers actually came out strong and built a 21-10 lead at the 10 minute mark of the first half before the Hornets went on a 20-0 run to seize control 30-21 at the half. Foul trouble was a big factor with four Brenau players going to the bench with two fouls during that stretch.

Sophomore Gabby Harvey just missed a double-double with nine points and 11 rebounds, but Brenau managed just one player in double figures with Tania Khudiakova finishing with 11. The Tigers shot 29% from the field, including .238 from behind the arc, and were outrebounded 41-32. Another big factor in the outcome was 27 turnovers committed by Brenau.

SPSU's All American Marisa Stotler torched the Tigers for 20 points, 15 rebounds and eight steals and All Conference player Crystal Davis tossed in 14 points as the Hornets dominated the post area. Brenau made it interesting with a comeback of their own in the second half to close to 43-47 before Poly pulled away for the final margin.

"Southern Poly was able to exert their will against us and our inexperience showed, especially at the offensive end," said Coach Gary Bays. They have a veteran group that won the SSAC Tournament last year and they were able to frustrate us into bad shots and turnovers. We are playing hard, but we have to be stronger mentally against quality teams."

It doesn't get any easier for the Tigers as they travel to Rome on Monday to take on another NAIA Nationals Qualifier from a year ago in Shorter University