MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Centre women's basketball team battled the top seed Rhodes Lynx in the semifinals of the Southern Athletic Association Tournament on Rhodes's home court and gave the regular season champions their toughest game in two months, forcing the game into overtime, but could not make enough plays down the stretch in the extra session, losing 74-66.
GAME HIGHLIGHTS
- The Colonels slowed the tempo in the opening period, matching Rhodes basket for basket and forcing the Lynx into tough shots. Rhodes connected on a three-pointer at the buzzer to take a 15-10 lead after one.
- In the second quarter, the Colonels took their first lead of the game at 20-18 on a jumper by
Natalie Duggins. The Lynx matched Centre's 8-1 run early in the period with one of their own at the end of the quarter, knocking down a couple of late threes to extend their lead to 34-26 at the half.
- Centre hung tough in the third quarter, getting a lift off the bench with a three by
Piper Hensley and some quality minutes from
Rachel Jennings. The Lynx relied on the three-point shot to stay ahead, shooting almost all threes in the quarter, but an inside jumper by
Bailey Rucker cut Rhodes's halftime lead in half at 49-45 with one quarter to go.
- Trailing 54-48 midway through the fourth quarter, the Colonels staged a furious rally. It started with a jumper from
Presley Chirico. Then, following a steal by Rucker,
Emma Rose Vincent scored inside to cut the deficit to two. One missed three later, Rucker got into the paint and converted a layup to tie the score at 54-all.
- Rhodes pulled back ahead by three at the four-minute mark, but Chirico responded with another clutch jumper. Following a Rhodes offensive foul, Centre missed out on their first chance to take the lead, but Rhodes missed two free throws to keep hope alive for the Colonels, and with two minutes left, Centre crashed the offensive glass and Rucker drew a foul, nailing both free throws to put the Colonels on top for the first time since the second quarter.
- The Lynx quickly scored five straight to lead 62-58 with 70 seconds to go. After a Centre timeout,
Payton Herold found Chirico for a quick hitter jumper to cut the lead in half. The Colonels played an excellent defensive possession, got the ball back, and Chirico drew a foul with 34 seconds to left, nailing both free throws to tie the game once again.
- Rhodes had the final possession of regulation, but Chirico blocked the last second attempt, forcing overtime.
- In overtime, Rhodes scored the first two points at the free throw line, then quickly extended the lead to 66-62 on a steal and score. Centre cut it to two once again on a jumper from Herold, but could get no closer as Rhodes salted the game away at the free throw line.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Chirico led all players with 24 points while also pulling down eight rebounds.
- Centre outrebounded Rhodes 52-46 for the game, including a 17-12 edge on the offensive glass. Duggins finished with a double-double, grabbing a game high 14 boards while scoring ten points.
- The Colonels went just 1-12 from three-point range compared to 8-29 for Rhodes, a 21-point difference.
- Rhodes shot 60 percent from the field and a perfect 6-6 from the free throw line during the overtime period.
