Leavenworth, Kan.- The University of Saint Mary Women's Basketball team played the Bethany Swedes Thursday night, resulting in a thrilling 94-92 double-overtime win. The Spires are now 5-4 overall and 2-3 in the KCAC.
The Swedes started the game fast, getting out to an early lead while Paige Pendley scored the Spire's first six points to make the score 14-6 mid-way through the first quarter. As the Swedes built a 28-13 lead, Shelby Salter hit a three as the clock was winding down to cut the Bethany lead to 28-16 to end the first quarter. The second quarter featured an 8-point scoring run for the Spires to make it 31-24, thanks to jump shots by Mary Olson and Alanis Delgado. Midway through the quarter, Bethany looked to pull away with the score 40-24, but a three by Rebecca Gilpin kept the Spires in it. As the quarter came to a close, Delgado, Pendley, and Kaylani Hoskin all contributed to the five-point swing that gave Saint Mary momentum heading into halftime down 47-33.
Coming out of halftime, Bethany took that built-up momentum back, as two early jump shots helped the Swedes take a commanding 51-33 lead. Saint Mary continued to fight as Tanea Sims and Jerrica Johnson hit key shots to keep the Spires in the game. Halfway through the quarter, Hoskin's free throw pulled the Spires within ten points, making the score 60-50. Bethany went on another scoring run, but shots from Daija Planas and Pendley made it 66-56 heading into the fourth quarter. The final ten minutes of action showed true grit for the Spires as Pendley, Sims, and Gilpin stepped up to hit big shots down the stretch. With four minutes left to go in the game, the Swedes held a 77-70 lead until a three from Gilpin made the score 77-73. A stop on defense for Saint Mary set up another three for the Spires, this time from Pendley, to make the score 77-76. A blocked shot by Olson bounced right to an open Bethany player for an easy layup giving the Swedes a 79-76 lead with just twelve seconds left in regulation. A full-time out by Saint Mary allowed coach Andy Kelley to draw up a play. With time running out, Pendley hit a game-tying three-pointer with just six seconds left. Another blocked shot by the Spires on the final possession helped force overtime with the score at 79-79.
Saint Mary and Bethany went back and forth throughout overtime, with Delgado and Sims hitting key shots down the stretch. With the score 84-82 in favor of the Swedes, a late foul by Bethany put Sims at the line, where she tied things up at 84. Strong defense by both teams sent the game into a second overtime period. A pair of free throws put Bethany up early, but the Spires again responded with a three-pointer by Gilpin, and another by Sims to give USM the 92-86 lead. That three gave Saint Mary all they needed to complete the 18-point comeback as the game came to a close. A late three-pointer by Bethany made the final score 94-92. Pendley led the offensive attack with 23 points, while Sims had eight rebounds on the night.
Up Next
Saint Mary will hit the road as they take on Friends University at 6 p.m. on Wednesday in Wichita, Kansas.
