RALEIGH, N.C. - In spite of 68-59 loss to the visiting Pride of Greensboro College Friday night, the Meredith College basketball team clinched a spot in the USA South Conference Tournament. The Avenging Angels secured fifth-place in North division standings and will advance to round one.

Senior Rah'nika Jones opened the scoring tonight with help of an assist from McKenzi Edwards. Asia Milton added a three-ball to give Meredith their only lead of the game.

Greensboro put together a 9-2 run to take a four-point advantage at 15:21.

Another jumper from Milton combined with a pair of Jessi Hayes free throws tied the game for the second and final time at 11.

A 13-3 Pride run put the visitors out front by 10 before Keyanka Bailey temporarily ended the surge with an and-one on the other end.

But GC's Chevana Pickard netted a pair of threes as Greensboro slipped ahead to an 18-point lead with 1:55 remaining in the half. The visitors held on for a 41-24 advantage heading into the locker room.

Meredith scored 15 of the first 10 points during the first five minutes after the break to cut the deficit to seven. The team remained within reach the rest of the way but would get no closer.

Edwards led the Avenging Angels with 17 points, four steals, and Bailey added 15 with eight rebounds and six steals. Hayes and Milton finished with eight apiece.

Greensboro's Pickard and Shanita Hampton led The Pride with 17 apiece, and Syerra Troutman posted 13 points in the win.

Meredith closes out the regular season Sunday afternoon in a 2 p.m. tip-off versus Averett University. The coaches and players will salute seniors Rah'nika Jones and Tyler Gresham just prior to the start.