By CHRIS WHITAKER
chris.whitaker@gaflnews.com
www.americustimesrecorder.com 

Georgia Southwestern had the final four minutes to score five points and reach the century mark on Tuesday night.

But instead, the Lady Hurricanes managed four.

Brittany Reynolds scored 12 points and grabbed 10 rebounds while making three steals and dishing out six assists as GSW had no problems cruising by Truett-McConnell 99-60 at the Storm Dome.

Tonette Murphy and Jessica Bivins each had 10 points, and Qouston Crawley had 10 rebounds.

"We did some good rebounding," said coach Kelly Britsky. "Tonight gave us an opportunity for everybody to play. Some kids were needing some game experience where they could step up and play at game speed. Some showed they could play a little bit while some didn't."

GSW (2-2) held a 57-29 lead at the half and won the rebounding edge 59-35, including 31-10 on the offensive glass. It doubled up the Lady Bears (0-9) for most of the game, leading by as many as 51 points.

Truett brought seven players, but had two foul out and another out with an injury. So Britsky pulled one of her players and played four-on-four the final 2:21 of the game.

GSW forced 34 turnovers, including 17 steals. After shooting 57 percent in the first half, the Lady Hurricanes dropped to 30 percent in the second, with a lot of misses inside the paint.

"We relaxed the second half because we knew we were up," said Britsky. "We played a lot of freshmen and inexperienced players the rest of the game.

"It wasn't the most competitive game we played this year, but it came at a time when we needed a win. It's a good win, and hopefully it will help us shake off last weekend. Valdosta (State) comes to town this weekend, and it will be an extremely tough battle."

Truett is in its first year of playing four-year basketball after being a part of the Georgia Junior College Athletic Association. Willani Love scored 20 to lead the Lady Bears; Symone Hampton had 17, and Chelsea Godwin had 15.

The down point of the game came with 8:43 left in the first half when Brandi Burris went down with a knee injury. Her status is uncertain until she sees a doctor.

"Obviously, if she's out, it's a huge loss," said Britsky. "She's a senior leader, she's a double-digit scorer every night and one of the most intense players on the team. We've already talked about having to find a way to fill holes and what we can do to be successful. We talk all the time about making the weakest link where it's not that weak. There's reasons we do that. If someone goes down, some else has to step up."

The Lady 'Canes host Valdosta State on Sunday at 2 p.m.

PICTURED: Brittany Reynolds

PHOTO BY: Chris Fenn