Centre's Lady Colonels win NCAA first round game RELEASED: Mar. 1, 2001 DANVILLE, KY – The Lady Colonels beat Thomas More Wednesday evening 87-86 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Centre held a commanding lead at the half, 50-33, shooting at 62.1%, 8-13 in the three-point range, during the opening period. Thomas More made a comeback in the second half, gaining their only lead during the last fifteen seconds of the game. Sophomore Jennifer Patterson's at-the-buzzer rebound shot scored the final basket, sending the Lady Colonels to the next round. Centre will play Maryville at Maryville, Tenn., for the second round of the tournament. The game is Saturday, March 3 at 7:30. This team features academic as well as athletic prowess. It sports five valedictorians as well as another player who was No. 1 in her class at a high school that did not name valedictorians. The six team member are Jennifer Patterson graduate of Dupont Manual Magnet High School (National Merit Finalist), Sarah Green of Frankfort, Melanie Bradshaw of Wartburg, Tenn., Noelle Groves of Lancaster, Ohio, Virginia Lowery of Murfreesboro, Tenn., and Ashley Schnepp of Black Mountain, N.C. (National Merit Finalist). The average G.P.A. of the team is 3.1. - end -     Communications Office Centre College 600 W. Walnut Street Danville, KY 40422 Sports Information Director: Telephone 859-238-5489