ELKINS, WV. - Shayla Wright's late game heroics forced overtime for the Kentucky Wesleyan College women's basketball team on Saturday. The Panthers eventually fell in the extra period 74-68 to Davis & Ekins.
The game was tied at 54 with five minutes remaining in the game. Lily Grimes gave the Panthers (14-11, 10-11 G-MAC) a one-point lead with a free throw, but Aliyah Dukes immediately answered on the following possession with a lay-up. Another Senators (11-15, 7-13 G-MAC) lay-up with just over a minute left extended the lead to 58-55. Out of a Wesleyan timeout, Addie Reimbold cut the deficit to within one with a mid-ranger jumper.
Colleena Burdock dropped two free-throws and gave D&E a 60-57 lead with eight seconds left in regulation. The Panthers called timeout to setup the final play that ran through Wright, who tied the game with a three-point basket, forcing overtime.
The Wesleyan three-point touch was unable to connect in overtime as the Senators outscored the Panthers 12-5 in the 3:49. After the Panthers fell behind two possession, D&E was steady from the charity stripe to prohibit any more dramatics.
Wesleyan held a 28-26 lead at intermission and quickly built a 34-26 advantage at the start of the third quarter after three quick baskets in the first minute. Grimes capped off the rally with a lay-up. The Senators chipped away and tied the game at 46 before Wright's three-point basket gave the Panthers a one-point lead heading into the fourth, 49-48. The final 10 minutes remained a one possession game.
Wright connected on half go her three-point attempts and finished with 12 points. Keelie Lamb added 11 points while Emma Wolfe finished with 10. Kelsey Ivers recorded eight points and a team-best 10 rebounds. Kaylee Clifford notched nine points and nine rebounds.
The Panthers currently sit in seventh place in the Great Midwest standings with one league game remaining on the schedule which will take place on Thursday evening. Tip-off against Ohio Valley is scheduled for 5:30 PM CT.
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