HONOLULU, Hawaii- On Sunday, the Colonels returned to Shark Tank Arena to take on Washington State's Puget Sound. Trailing early, Centre women's basketball rallied to defeat the Loggers in a double overtime thriller, winning by a score of 64-62.
GAME HIGHLIGHTS
-
Arin Nipp initiated the game's scoring from the paint and other than a pair of free throws from
Lindsay Jessie, all six of the Colonels' points belonged to Nipp. Heading into the second frame, Centre trailed 17-6.
- The Colonels caught momentum early in the second quarter.
Lilly Reid kick started a crucial 9-0 run to bring Centre within one basket approaching the media timeout. Out of the break, Puget Sound answered with a 14-4 run to extend their hold back to double digits entering halftime.
- Out of the locker room the Colonels ignited, outscoring the Loggers 14-6 in the third frame. Four minutes in,
Ryleigh Campbell made one from the paint followed by a long ball from
Ka'Niah Edelen to bring Centre within six.
Bailey Rucker and Nipp later added four more to adjust the score to Puget Sound 35, Centre 32 entering the final ten minutes of regulation.
- A pair of charity baskets from
Kylie Floyd and a jumper from Rucker tied the game up at 39-39 with six minutes to go. For the remainder of regulation, Rucker matched the Loggers point for point and in the final 30 seconds, Puget Sound placed the senior at the line. Draining both, Rucker tied it up at 45-45 to send the game into overtime.
- Reid handed Centre their first lead of the game with a floater 45 seconds in. After swapping free throws for much of the period, Edelen set in a buzzer beating jumper to tie it back up and send the game into a second overtime period.
- Puget Sound created distance with five unanswered points. Reid eventually broke Centre's silence and with twenty seconds to go, Campbell heaved one in from long range to once again tie the game. With one second on the clock, Reid beat the buzzer with a driving layup to win the game by a score of 64-62.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Reid and Rucker tied for Centre's leader in points, each with 13. Reid led the game in assists with four.
- Nipp achieved the game's only double-double with ten points and 11 rebounds.
- Centre dominated in fast break points with 14 to Puget Sounds' five.
- The game saw seven ties and four lead changes.
NEXT UP
Centre women's basketball will head back to the mainland to partake in the 2024 Sewanee Classic. They'll first face Huntingdon on Dec. 29
th at 3 p.m. ET before facing Franklin on Dec. 30
th.
