ROCK HILL, S.C. - Behind stellar performances from Tournament MVP Diamond McDowell and All-Tournament honoree Zamiya Passmore, Anderson women's basketball team secured the South Atlantic Conference Tournament championship with a 64-58 victory over regular-season champion Coker (26-6) on Friday night at the Rock Hill Sports & Event Center.

"Wow! What a feeling!," exclaimed head coach Jonathon Barbaree. "So proud of this team! Every player has played a part in getting us to this moment and I couldn't be happier for all of them. I know I'm hard on them and probably a little crazy on the sidelines, but to see them get to have this moment is all I ever wanted."

"We knew tonight was going to be a battle from start to finish," said Barbaree. "Coker finished first for a reason! They never quit and they're so good on defense." 

"I thought we did a solid job defending all tournament and continued that tonight," noted Barbaree. 

"Once again, Diamond and Zee led the way, but defensively Kyla and Rose were huge for us!," explained Barbaree. "The energy was great all game from the bench. It was the bench who calmed us every time we called timeout and that team connection motivated each player to get back out there!" 

"We will celebrate it for a couple of days, but look forward to seeing our names called on Sunday night!," added Barbaree.

McDowell led the Trojans with her 19^th double-double of the season, scoring 22 points and pulling down 14 rebounds. The native of Asheboro, N.C., shot 8-of-17 from the field and knocked down three 3-pointers. Passmore added 21 points, five rebounds, and three assists, going 8-of-17 from the floor to cap off her outstanding tournament play.

Anderson built an early lead, outscoring Coker 39-21 in the first half. However, the Cobras fought back in the third quarter, led by the SAC Player of the Year Shawntenna Tillman's game-high 25 points. Coker outscored the Black and Gold, 23-12, in the third period and, 37-25, in the second half.

Anderson's first half effort and its ability to finish strong helped lift AU to victory. The Trojans sealed the win at the free-throw line in the fourth quarter, hitting 7-of-9 from the stripe. With the victory, Anderson claims its third overall SAC Tournament title and second under the leadership of Coach Barbaree.

The Trojans earn an automatic NCAA Tournament bid. AU will learn who they will play when the NCAA announces the field on Sunday, March 9^th at 10:30 pm.

A seven-person All-Tournament team was named with McDowell earning tournament MVP honors.

All-Tournament Team
Tori Rutherford, Carson-Newman
Laney Beale, Wingate
Shawnnteeana Tillman, Coker
Mya Wasswa, Coker
Ashlyn Sheridan, Anderson
Zamiya Passmore, Anderson
Diamond McDowell, Anderson  - MVP