CINCINNATI – Centre women's basketball picked up its first victory of the season in thrilling fashion Saturday, toppling Spalding by a 76-75 score in overtime at the Lauren Hill Tip-Off Classic hosted by Mount St. Joseph.
 
Presley Chirico had a career night, finishing with 23 points and 17 rebounds to go with two assists and two blocks.
 
The Colonels move to 1-1 overall while the Golden Eagles slide to 0-3.
 
HIGHLIGHTS
- Centre broke open a close game with a massive second quarter, out-scoring Spalding 22-8 to lead 27-25 at the break.
- Rachel Jennings had 10 first-half points for the Colonels, who shot above 48% as a team from the floor during the first two periods.
- The script flipped in the third, as the Golden Eagles rallied with a 21-10 effort to get right back in the contest.
- A Chirico jumper early in the fourth made it 53-47, but Spalding ripped off a 16-4 run to turn its six-point deficit into a six-point advantage with 93 seconds remaining.
- Down 66-63 on the final possession, Bailey Rucker drew a foul on a 3-pointer as the clock expired. She calmly hit all three freebies to force overtime.
- An early three from Payton Herold set the tone for the Colonels, who did not trail once during the extra session before escaping with a one-point win.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Chirico set personal highs in points and rebounds, finishing 8 of 14 from the field. She added a pair of assists and blocks, along with a steal.
- Emma Rose Vincent was an efficient 7-for-10 with 14 points and seven rebounds. Jennings (12) and Herold (10) also scored in double figures.
- Centre out-rebounded Spalding 49-31 and finished with 44 points in the paint.
 
UP NEXT
- Centre plays its first home game next Friday, Nov. 19, at 7 p.m. against Franklin.