Fourth Period Rally Forces Overtime In 64-60 Loss To UNCP

RALEIGH, NC (Nov 30) – On Wednesday, Kiana Clark (Fr./Queens, NY) scored 15 points and Kaaliya Williams (Fr./Richmond, VA) added 14 points as Saint Augustine's University mounted a furious rally to force overtime in a 64-60 women's basketball loss to the University of North Carolina at Pembroke at Lumbee Guaranty Bank Court in Pembroke, N.C.

Kamya Renwicks (Fr./Baltimore, MD) tallied 11 points, 11 rebounds and four steals for the Lady Falcons, who erased an 11-point second-half deficit and trailed 42-33 entering the fourth period. Led by six points from Renwicks and five points each from Williams and Ja'Yon Leak (Fr./Charlotte, NC), the Lady Falcons outscored the Braves 17-8 in the fourth period to tie the game at the end of regulation. Renwicks knotted the score at 50-50 on a free throw with 15 seconds left and the Braves missed a last-second jumper.

In overtime, the Lady Falcons gained their first lead since early in the first quarter. A Clark three-pointer put them ahead 55-53 with 2:51 left but the Braves, powered by three three-pointers, built a 62-58 lead with 1:21 remaining. Williams drained a jumper to close the deficit to 62-60 but the Braves clinched the win with two free throws after an offensive rebound with 33 seconds remaining.

Both teams came alive offensively in overtime after frigid shooting in regulation. The Lady Falcons (2-6 overall) were 3 of 5 from the floor for 60 percent including 2 of 3 from three-point land and the Braves were 4 of 6 for 66.7 percent including 4 of 4 behind the arc. For the contest, the Lady Falcons shot 34.6 percent and the Braves shot 33.8 percent.

Pressure defense keyed the Lady Falcons in the second half. They recorded nine steals and forced 23 turnovers, including eight in the fourth quarter, which led to 19 points. They were undone by free throws, however, hitting 17 of 30 attempts for 56.7 percent. The Lady Falcons entered the contest making 71.3 percent from the charity stripe.

The Braves (3-1 overall) also struggled at the free throw line, making 12 of 20 attempts for 60 percent but they won the rebounding battle 49-39 which led to a 10-4 edge in second chance points. Their depth was also a factor as the Braves outscored the Lady Falcons 32-11 in bench points.

For the Lady Falcons, Clark added five rebounds, five assists and two steals and Williams contributed five rebounds and two steals. Leak scored eight points and Quiera Gilmore (R-Fr./Charlotte, NC) had seven points and four rebounds. Jonissa Monley scored 15 points for the Braves and Nyla Allen came off the bench to add 11 points and 11 rebounds.

The Lady Falcons play again this weekend in the WSSU Red & White Classic hosted by Winston-Salem State University in Winston-Salem, N.C. They take on Voorhees College on Saturday, Dec. 3 and Clark Atlanta University on Sunday, Dec. 4 at the Gaines Center with both games starting at 2 p.m.