Dec. 19, 2001

  Winthrop connected on 39.6 percent of its shots and made seven three-point field goals on its way to a 72-65 victory over Southern Illinois, Wednesday night in the opening game of the Navy Classic in Annapolis, Md.

The Lady Eagles (2-6) broke open the game midway through the first half, turning a 18-12 lead into a 37-15 advantage with less than four minutes to play before halftime. The two teams went into the locker room with Winthrop holding a 43-21 lead.

Winthrop continued its outside shooting barrage in the second half, opening up a 27-point lead at 54-27 with 14 minutes remaining in the game, but Southern Illinois clawed their way back to within four points at 66-62 with 57 seconds left to play. Winthrop’s Kia Bell made one of two free throws with 32 seconds left in the game, then Bell blocked Holly Teague’s three-point attempt on the next SIU possession.

Winthrop’s Jannette Arrington was fouled with 24 seconds to play and converted both free throws to give the Eagles a 69-62 cushion. SIU’s Molly McDowell hit a three-point field goal with 16 seconds remaining to cut the deficit to 69-65, but Winthrop converted three of four free throws in the final 15 seconds to clinch the victory.

Winthrop shot 39.6 percent for the game, while Southern Illinois finished at a 31.3 shooting clip.

Senior Charlotta Wennefors led the Lady Eagles in scoring with 23 points, shooting a perfect 3-for-3 from three-point range and eight-for-eight from the free throw line. Janette Arrington added 15 points, while Laura Herman chipped in 11 and Anne Hollensen had 10 for Winthrop. Jodi Heiden and Geshla Woodard paced the Salukis with 16 points apiece.

Winthrop will play the winner of Wednesday’s second game between Maryland-Eastern Shore and the host Naval Academy, in Thursday’s Navy Classic title game, with Southern Illinois facing the loser in the consolation game.