The fifth-seeded University of Dallas Crusaders opened up the 2013 Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament with a thrilling 59-57 win over fourth seed Centenary College on Friday afternoon.

The Crusaders saw a 13-point second half lead evaporate in the final minutes, as the Centenary Ladies stormed back to within two with 3:54 remaining.  Neither team would score again until the final minute, as Vashni Sharp-Moore went to the line for Centenary with a chance to tie it.  She made the first, but the second rimmed out to give the ball back to Dallas.

Dallas gave Centenary another chance, though, turning the ball over with 18 seconds left.  Sharp-Moore, who scored 16 of her game-high 22 points in the second half, was then called for an offensive foul on her drive to the basket with just under 10 seconds left.

Centenary fouled to put Chelsea Seifert on the line with 6.2 seconds to play, and she made 1-2 to give Centenary one last shot to tie or win.  The Crusader defense was up to the task, keeping the Ladies from attempting a shot until after the buzzer had sounded.

Kylie Yoshimura led Dallas with 14 points and five assists to go with three steals, while Brooke Hagemann hit 5-10 from the field for 12 points.  Marleyna Bustamante finished with 11 rebounds and six points, adding four assists for the Crusaders.

Sharp-Moore added six rebounds and four assists to her 22 points, playing in all 40 minutes of today’s SCAC Quarterfinal.  Brianna Edwards posted a solid double-double with 11 points and a game-best 16 boards – including nine offensive rebounds.  Dionecia Warr chipped in with 11 points, while Emmeline Richard pulled down 10 boards in 16 minutes off the bench.

Dallas moves on to the SCAC Semifinals tomorrow afternoon, taking on top seed Trinity University at 1:00 p.m.  The winner advances to Sunday’s SCAC Championship game.