UNIONTOWN, PA – The Villa Maria College women's basketball team competed in their first game of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Basketball National Championship on Monday and they were in control for a majority of the game. The Vikings battled the University of Maine at Machias and came away with a 69-51 victory to advance to the semi-final game on Tuesday.
Estella Anderson put the team on the board first with a layup in the opening seconds, but the Clippers responded immediately to tie the game and claim a lead.
Bianca Brown and
Ta Lia Burgess knocked down back-to-back three-pointers to grab a one-point advantage. At the 6:23 mark, Villa began a run that helped put them ahead and it started with a three from Brown. Burgess added a mid-range jumper, which was followed by a make by
Norvonee Hall. Burgess put the team ahead by double digits at the 2:21 mark before the opposition scored. After one quarter of play, Villa led 22-12.
The second frame began with back-to-back buckets by Hall and
Taliah Bush. The Vikings lead soon ballooned to 21 after Hall, Burgess and
Dakaylah Winfield all knocked down shots from behind the arc. The Clippers made a little run to end the first half and they cut their deficit to 17 as they went into the break.
Coming out of the break, Villa was energized and scored two quick baskets to push their advantage to 22.
Jordon Wright started with a fast break layup and then Brown followed with a three-pointer. The Clippers kept attempting to battle back, but important makes by Winfield and Hall kept the opposition at bay. As the third frame began to wind down, the Clippers were able to cut the score to 54-40.
The closest the University of Maine got in the fourth quarter was a 13-point deficit at the 7:20 mark, but Villa began to make a run starting with a Bush layup. Brown added a mid-range jump shot, before Bush completed a three-point play to push the teams lead back up to 20 points. Villa held on the rest of the game and comfortably walked away with a 69-51 to advance to the National Championship Semi-Final.
Burgess led the way with 19 points and added 12 rebounds for a double-double. Hall was tremendous on both sides of the ball scoring 16 points, grabbing eight rebounds and recording seven steals and one block. Brown was impactful as well, finishing the game with 13 points, three assists and four steals.
The next opponent for Villa will be the winner of the Johnson and Wales University-Charlotte and Central Maine Community College game, which will take place on Monday at 2 p.m. The semi-final game is scheduled for Tuesday, March 10 at 1 p.m.
Be sure to stay up to date on all of your Vikings scores and awards by following @VillaVikings on Twitter and by liking the "Villa Maria Vikings" Facebook page.
