Lynchburg, Va. -- In a tight battle from wire-to-wire, the University of Lynchburg women's basketball team narrowly came up short against Hollins in Turner Gym on Wednesday night, falling 70-67 in overtime.
The Hornets (5-2, 0-2) led Hollins (6-1, 1-1) by three with 45 seconds to go before Sarah Morales finished a delivery from Noelani Carter to come within one. With 15 seconds on the clock, Gracie Huffard was fouled and made one-of-two at the line to send the game into overtime. Neither side scored for the first 3:24 of the extra period before Jacorra Russell netted one for HU.
Bree Spainhour hit one-of-two shots at the line with 47 seconds remaining, but a 3-pointer from Hollins' Carter with 16 seconds to go effectively sealed the contest.
Lynchburg was powered offensively by Spainhour, who turned in a 24-point outing - tying her career-best scoring effort - on eight-for-14 shooting while adding seven rebounds, two assists and a team-high two blocks.
Audra Petty provided a majority of the remaining offensive production with 19 points, including three made from long range, while also securing eight rebounds. Spainhour and Petty both were solid at the charity stripe as Spainhour went eight-for-nine and Petty made nine-of-10 from the foul line.
Aly Schaffer and
Ashley Vandergrift each added six points apiece on a pair of three-pointers, and
Selah Parker contributed four points, six rebounds and four assists.
The Hornets opened strong, taking an 18-15 lead after the first quarter and maintained a 34-31 edge at halftime. Lynchburg kept its momentum in the third, outscoring Hollins 17-15 to build a 51-46 advantage heading into the fourth. Hollins, however, climbed back in the final period, using an 18-13 fourth-quarter margin to force overtime.
In overtime, Lynchburg managed only three points while Hollins closed the frame 6-3 to seal the result. Despite the loss, Lynchburg finished the night shooting eight-for-19 from 3-point range and a strong 21-for-25 at the free-throw line. The Hornets grabbed 44 rebounds, including 35 on the defensive glass, and posted seven steals and four blocks.
Lynchburg returns to action this weekend for a nonconference clash against Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Va. on Sunday, Dec. 14 at 2 p.m.
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