Lady Buffs Prevail over Southwestern Oklahoma in Overtime, 68-61
By: Lee K. Howard
Updated: January 12, 2008
CANYON, Texas – Junior Emily Brister, the LSC’s leading scorer, who was held to just three field goals in regulation, exploded for 12 points in overtime as the Lady Buffs notched a hard-fought, 68-61, road victory over Southwestern Oklahoma State on Saturday night at Rankin Williams Field House in Weatherford, Okla.
West Texas A&M (10-3) faced some adversity during the early goings of the game as the Bulldogs jumped out to a 15-5 lead on a three-point field goal by Tobey Beer at the 14:50 mark of the first half.
The Lady Buffs rallied to tie the game at the 5:35 mark on a three-point field goal by Chelsea Balckshear and retook the advantage for the first time since the game’s opening minute on a three-point field goal by sophomore Holly Isaacs with 4:35 to play. However, Southwestern maintained its high level of play to regain the lead and carry a 31-30 advantage into the intermission, led by 10 point from Lucy Ramon. Isaacs, who nailed 4-of-5 long range field goal attempts in the fist half, was the biggest standout for the Lady Buffs in the first half, as she tied a career-high with 12 points during Saturday night’s affair.
After some halftime adjustments by head coach Krista Gerlich, WT continued to build momentum in the second half, but found itself down by two points with just 19 seconds to play. Needing a big play to avoid losing to a Lone Star Conference North Division opponent for the first time this season, the Lady Buffs got that play from Blackshear, whose lay-up with seven second’s to play tied the game for the 11th time and send the contest into the extra session, knotted at 52-52.
In the extra session, Brister took command by compiling a perfect 8-of-8 mark from the free throw line, two of which came after she converted lay-ups while being fouled, and pulled down three rebounds to lead the Lady Buffs to their second overtime win of the season. Joining Brister in double-figure scoring were junior Courtney Lee, who posted 17 points and enjoyed a perfect 8-of-8 night from the free throw line, and Isaacs with 12. As a team, the Lady Buffs were 23-of-24 from the charity stripe for 95.8 percent.
The conference season is up next for the Lady Buffs as they return home to begin Lone Star Conference South play on Jan. 26 against Angelo State at the First United Bank Center.
ARTICLE COURTESY: www.gobuffsgo.com
The Lady Buffs rallied to tie the game at the 5:35 mark on a three-point field goal by Chelsea Balckshear and retook the advantage for the first time since the game’s opening minute on a three-point field goal by sophomore Holly Isaacs with 4:35 to play. However, Southwestern maintained its high level of play to regain the lead and carry a 31-30 advantage into the intermission, led by 10 point from Lucy Ramon. Isaacs, who nailed 4-of-5 long range field goal attempts in the fist half, was the biggest standout for the Lady Buffs in the first half, as she tied a career-high with 12 points during Saturday night’s affair.
After some halftime adjustments by head coach Krista Gerlich, WT continued to build momentum in the second half, but found itself down by two points with just 19 seconds to play. Needing a big play to avoid losing to a Lone Star Conference North Division opponent for the first time this season, the Lady Buffs got that play from Blackshear, whose lay-up with seven second’s to play tied the game for the 11th time and send the contest into the extra session, knotted at 52-52.
In the extra session, Brister took command by compiling a perfect 8-of-8 mark from the free throw line, two of which came after she converted lay-ups while being fouled, and pulled down three rebounds to lead the Lady Buffs to their second overtime win of the season. Joining Brister in double-figure scoring were junior Courtney Lee, who posted 17 points and enjoyed a perfect 8-of-8 night from the free throw line, and Isaacs with 12. As a team, the Lady Buffs were 23-of-24 from the charity stripe for 95.8 percent.
The conference season is up next for the Lady Buffs as they return home to begin Lone Star Conference South play on Jan. 26 against Angelo State at the First United Bank Center.
ARTICLE COURTESY: www.gobuffsgo.com
