WINCHESTER, Va. – Shenandoah University dug itself a big hole early in its USA South Conference women's basketball contest with visiting Ferrum Tuesday night, and as a result the Lady Panthers left Shingleton Gymnasium with a 91-80 victory.

The loss puts Shenandoah (11-4, 4-1 USA South) into a three-way tie for first place in the league with Ferrum (11-5, 4-1) and Christopher Newport. Greensboro is one-half game back and travels to last place Peace tomorrow evening.

After the Hornets opened Tuesday's game by scoring four of the game's first six points, the Lady Panthers seized control with an 11-2 run. Ferrum would allow its lead to drop below seven points on just one possession for the remainder of the contest.

The Lady Panthers combined a strong rebounding start (20 of the first 30 boards) with Shenandoah missing seven of its first eight attempts from the free throw line. Once FC pushed the lead into double digits (on a Quanita Bennett free throw at the 14:11 mark), they were able to keep the advantage at least eight points.

The visitors eventually expanded the lead to 15 points before Shenandoah was able to cut it to 44-33 at the break.

The second half brought more of the same, and Ferrum appeared to have total control of the contest when it took an 80-65 lead with 3:36 remaining. However, SU had one more run in itself.

The Hornets scored 10 of the game's next 12 points to trail by just seven, 82-75, with 1:39 left and had the ball, but Alicia Sanders could not convert from underneath the basket and FC was able to score on its next trip down the floor.

Shenandoah did briefly cut it to six after Sanders drained a three with 23 seconds showing, but Ferrum converted five of its final six foul shots to ice the victory.

Sanders led the hosts with 18 points while Cassie Womack had 17 rebounds. FC's Ashley Norton led all scorers with 19 points - she scored all 19 in the second half.

Box Score 

SU travels to Greensboro on Saturday for the first of two USA South Conference contests this weekend.