Salem, VA (02/24/01) -- Senior Arden Miller (Landenberg, PA/Sanford School (DE)) scored 23 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead second-seeded Guilford over number-four Emory & Henry, 64-55, in the finals of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Women's Basketball Tournament in the Salem Civic Center Saturday. The win secures the Quakers' (21-6) first ODAC basketball crown and the league's automatic berth into the 50-team NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Championship.

The Quakers erased a 34-28 halftime deficit with an 11-0 run at the start of the second half. Miller scored five points during the spurt, including a run-capping jumper with 13:24 to play that gave the Quakers a 39-34 advantage. Emory & Henry pulled to within 43-41 on a layup by ODAC Player of the Year Kelly Smith (Duffield, VA/Rye Cove) with 10:27 left, but Guilford took off on a decisive 12-2 spurt that included two three-pointers by freshman guard Kate Goodman (Salisbury, NC/West Rowan). Her second trifecta boosted the Quakers' margin to 10 (55-45) with 5:13 left. The Wasps drew no closer than six points for the rest of the game.

Guilford found its shooting touch in the second half for the second straight game, while its opposition's shooting went south. In the Quakers' 64-48 ODAC semifinal win over Roanoke, Guilford overcame a nine-point deficit as the Maroons made just six of 22 field goals (.222) in the second half. Emory & Henry rallied from a 14-2 deficit Saturday and held a 34-38 lead at the break, but made just seven of 36 shots in the second half, including one of 11 from three-point range. The Wasps missed their first 14 field-goal attempts of the second half, many from close range. Guilford shot over 52 percent from the floor in the second half.

Miller recorded her team-leading seventh double double of the season and her second in three nights. She claimed the tourney's Most Outstanding Player Award and joined junior teammates Erin Beacham (Atlanta, GA/Lovett School) and Amy Evans (New Bern, NC/New Bern) on the All-ODAC Tournament squad. Smith and junior Jenny Gibson (King & Queen, VA/King & Queen) represented the Wasps on the all-tournament team.

Evans and freshman Jackie Hardenbergh (Oak Hill, VA/Paul VI) each scored 10 points for the victors. Evans added six assists and five boards. Goodman scored all eight of her points in the second half. The Wasps' Smith shared game-high scoring honors with 23 points and grabbed seven boards.

Guilford eclipsed its school record for wins in a season and awaits the NCAA Championship Tournament pairing announcement, which occurs Sunday, February 25 at 9:30 P.M. The announcement will be made live over the Internet at the following address: http://www.ncaachampionships.com/news/bko/bkc/2001/02/20/982678855921.html.