SSAC Tourney’s 1st round a backyard affair for AUM & Faulkner

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MONTGOMERY, Ala. (aumathletics.com) — The No. 3 seed Auburn Montgomery women’s basketball team will open postseason play at the Southern States Athletic Conference Tournament against No. 6 seed Faulkner Thursday, March 3 at 8 p.m., at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl.

The Warhawks finished the regular season with a 22-8 record, including a 13-5 mark against SSAC foes. AUM finished one game behind No. 2 seed Loyola (20-7, 14-4 SSAC) and three games behind regular-season champion Bethel (25-5, 16-2 SSAC). Faulkner, who finished the regular season tied with Mobile (15-14, 9-9 SSAC), earned the tie break over for the sixth seed over the No. 7 seed Lady Rams and finished 13-15 overall and 9-9 in league games during the season.

“I think this team has been very consistent throughout the season,” head coach Dan Davis said. “We have a lot to be proud of with a 22-8 record against a challenging schedule, but know there is a lot more we can accomplish. We have a lot of respect for Faulkner and know it will be a big game against a rival to start, what we hope is, a nice postseason run. We know every team is fighting for a bid to the national tournament, so we have cannot take one possession for granted.”

In two meetings earlier this season, the Warhawks and Lady Eagles each won on their respective home floors, with AUM picking up an 88-68 victory on Feb. 13, and Faulkner gaining a 59-45 win on Jan. 30.

Senior Jatoria Carter averaged 24.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 3.0 steals in the games, while junior Kaylan Withrow chipped in 21.0 points per game, hitting 12 3-pointers in the contests. Senior Reggotta Craig averaged 11.0 points per game, despite being held scoreless in the road game. Fellow senior Marren Schwartz pulled down 9.5 rebounds per game, including nine on the offensive end.

The Lady Eagles were led by Faith LeGate, who averaged 18.0 points per game in the two games.

The winner of the game between AUM and Faulkner will advance to take on either Loyola or the winner of Wednesday’s contest between No. 8 seed Brenau (15-13, 8-10 SSAC) and No. 9 seed Coastal Georgia (11-17, 6-12 SSAC).

COMPLETE TOURNAMENT BRACKET 

Wednesday, March 2

Game 1 – No. 7 Mobile vs. No. 10 William Carey – 10 a.m.

Game 2 – No. 8 Brenau vs. No. 9 Coastal Georgia – 1:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 3

Game 3 – Winner of Game 2 vs. No. 1 Bethel – 9 a.m.

Game 4 – Winner of Game 1 vs. No. 2 Loyola – 12:30 p.m.

Game 5 – No. 5 Blue Mountain vs. No. 4 Martin Methodist – 4:30 p.m.

Game 6 – No. 6 Faulkner vs. No. 3 AUM – 8 p.m.

Friday, March 4

Game 7 – Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5 – 1 p.m.

Game 8 – Winner of Game 4 vs. Winner of Game 6 – 5 p.m.

Saturday, March 4

Game 9 – Winner of Game 7 vs. Winner of Gam 8 – 4 p.m.