Steel fall to Groove 89-76, still claim season series

SAVANNAH, Ga. —

The Savannah Steel lost their second straight game to the Greensboro Groove on Sunday, falling 89-76 at Enmarket Arena in the fifth and final regular-season meeting between the teams.

Despite consecutive losses to end the series, Savannah won the season series 3-2.

Greensboro took control early, shooting 63.2% in the first quarter to build a 26-17 lead. The Groove carried that momentum into the second quarter and extended their advantage to 49-33 by halftime.

Savannah responded in the second half, outscoring Greensboro 43-40 after the break, but could not overcome the early deficit. The Steel shot 24 of 27 from the free-throw line and finished 4 of 16 from 3-point range.

Olivia Cochran led Savannah with 15 points and went 5 for 5 from the free-throw line. Alisia Jenkins added 14 points, Lauryn Taylor scored 12 off the bench, and Iyana Moore had nine points.

Greensboro placed five players in double figures. Jessica Timmons led all scorers with 18 points, Kayla Jones scored 14 off the bench, Sahara Jones had 12, and Sydney Shaw and Ny’ceara Pryor added 11 points each.

The Groove bench outscored Savannah’s reserves 40-24. Greensboro also held a 34-26 edge in points in the paint and scored 19 second-chance points off 11 offensive rebounds.

Savannah fell to 7-10 and will return to action Wednesday, July 8, with a noon tipoff.