2007 AAC CHAMPIONS

Barbourville, KY- Pack your bags for Sioux City!  The Bryan College Lady Lions basketball team clinched the Appalachian Athletic Conference regular-season championship and an automatic bid to the national tournament Feb. 13, with a 57-53 win at Union College.  The Lady Lions have become the first sports team in school history to win back-to-back conference titles. 

Union College entered the night as one of the top offensive teams in the conference, averaging 80 points per game with a record of 10-2 at home this season.  But the Lady Lions defense was too much for the Bulldogs, holding Union to their lowest point total of the season. 

Bryan got off to a great start behind the shooting of senior post Brittany Swanson.  Swanson hit four three-pointers in the first half as Bryan built a 34-14 lead with 4:31 left.  Swanson finished the game with 18 points and six assists. 

Union made a run at the end of the half to cut the lead to eight, 36-28 at the break. 

The second half was a defensive struggle.  Union netted the first five points of the period, quickly closing the gap and tying the game at 39.  They then went on a 9-2 run to take their biggest lead of seven 48-41 with 10 minutes to play.

Bryan College went inside down the stretch to take back the momentum.  Junior post Kellie Thurman helped propel the Lions on a 12-point streak to take back the lead.  Thurman finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds. 

A three-pointer from Union's Carrie Blistine tied the game at 53 with 1:02 remaining.  On the ensuing possession, sophomore Ashley Gray went strong to the hole, drawing a foul. Ashley stepped up as she often does and drained both free throws.  Gray finished with two points on the night, but they could not have come at a better time.  Two more free throws from Kellie Thurman, and the game ended 57-53.

The team celebrated their victory with a dip in the pool at Union College.  The Lady Lions improved to 22-6 on the season, and will host King College on Saturday.  Come out and support the class of 2007 on senior night at 5:30 p.m.