FERRUM, Va. - In Thursday's round one action of the USA South Women's Basketball Tournament, the North's top-seed and tournament host Ferrum Panthers pulled away from Meredith for a 79-53 victory.

Ferrum advanced to Friday's semifinal round versus the North's third-seeded Methodist, who upset the South's second-seeded Piedmont Lions. The South's third-seeded LaGrange upset the North's second-seeded Greensboro Pride in the opening game today and will face the South's top-seeded Maryville Scots in the first semifinal event.

Ferrum opened Thursday's nightcap with a seven-point advantage over the Avenging Angels.

Kim Hinton and Brittaney Rice subbed in for Meredith on the next dead ball, and Rice forced a Panther turnover. Hinton grabbed an offensive rebound and finished the play with a short jumper.

Rice and Hinton launched a 17-9 Avenging Angel run to tie the score at 21 with 5:48 remaining in the period.

But leading scorer Shea Smith scored the next six points for Ferrum. Teammate Katy Kipps added four more to give the Panthers a seven-point advantage with three minutes left in the half.

With eight seconds left in the period, McKenzi Edwards drained a pair of free throws to cut the Ferrum lead to three heading into the break.

The Avenging Angels returned to the hardwood with momentum in the second half and pulled to within one point on a layup from rookie point guard Asia Milton.

A series of Meredith missteps put control back in the hands of the hosts, and Ferrum began to stretch their lead. The Avenging Angels scored just four points during the next seven minutes as the Panthers pulled ahead by twenty with just under 10 minutes left in the game.

Meredith continued to battle but the seasoned Panthers maintained control the rest of the way.

Ten Avenging Angels scored in tonight's contest with Tyler Gresham and Jessi Hayes leading the way. Edwards and Keyanka Bailey led Meredith with six boards apiece, and Edwards dished out five assists.

Smith finished with 20 points for Ferrrum, and Jacole Hairston and Katy Kipps combined for 26 to help the Panthers secure the victory.