The Malone University women's basketball team suffered a stunning 74-73 overtime defeat to the University of Charleston (WV) Tuesday night.
After trailing by as many as 21 points in the third quarter, the Pioneers came storming back, outscoring the Golden Eagles 23-5 in the final stanza. Malone was down 63-60 with less than 30 seconds to go before guard Rachel Goddard hit a late three-pointer to force overtime.
Charleston pulled ahead 69-65 early on in the extra period. A three-point play by forward Tara Schaffter trimmed the deficit to 69-68. Following a pair of Golden Eagle free throws, Schaffter added another bucket in the paint to cut the UC lead to 71-70.
Charleston split a pair of free throws with 15 seconds to go to make it 72-70. Freshman guard Chrissie Vaughan nailed a clutch three-pointer to put Malone in front 73-72 with just seconds to go, but the Pioneers' comeback bid was spoiled by a Charleston layup as the overtime horn sounded.
Malone Individual Highlights
-Guard Alaina Schwarz drained six of her 10 three-point attempts, pacing four Pioneers in double figures with 18 points
-Goddard added 15 points, five rebounds, three steals and two assists
-Schaffter tossed in 12 points and grabbed six boards
-Guard Alahna Singleton finished with 12 points
Charleston Individual Highlights
-Chyress Lockhart ended the night with a game-high 20 points and four assists
-Marissa Koob added 12 points
-Tia Clement registered 10 points and six rebounds
-Mya Walker posted eight points and eight boards
Game Notes
-After hitting just 34.6% of its shots in the first half, Malone got on track over the final two quarters, connecting on 47.6% of its second-half field goals, including seven of 14 three-pointers
-Overall, the Pioneers knocked down 11 of 27 (41%) treys in the game and are now shooting over 46% from beyond the three-point line through their first two games
-Charleston also had success from behind the three-point line on Tuesday night, hitting 14 of their 38 (36.8%) attempts
-The Golden Eagles held a 39-32 edge in total rebounds
Up Next: The Pioneers host Kent State University Tuscarawas on Thursday at 7:00 p.m.
