BRIDGEWATER, Va. – The Bridgewater College Women's Basketball Team (6-6, 2-2 ODAC) used a 9-1 run in overtime to hold off an Emory & Henry (9-3, 3-1 ODAC) rally, 78-75, Saturday afternoon in Old Dominion Athletic Conference action at Nininger Hall. The two teams and Wasps battled through nine ties and four lead changes in the contest as the Eagles came away with the one-possession victory.
Bridgewater got out to a 14-8 advantage at the end of the first quarter and extended its lead to double digits midway through the second 10 minutes (18-8). The Wasps trimmed the margin back to six points at the half, going into the locker room with the score, 31-25.
In the third period, the BC went back up by 10 points before E&H went on a 16-6 run to tie the game with 1:52 on the clock for the first time since 6:47 remaining in the first. Down by six with 7:18 to go in regulation, Emory & Henry scored eight straight points for its first lead of the game, 60-58. The squads swapped baskets for the final four minutes of play to a 65-65 score at the end of 40 minutes.
In the overtime period, the Wasps went up by three points early, but the Eagles' 9-1 run gave them a five-point advantage with 90 seconds remaining. Emory & Henry fought back to trim the margin to one (76-75) with six seconds left, but were forced to foul to regain possession. E&H had a final opportunity to force a second overtime, but the shot was off the mark, and Bridgewater escaped with the 78-75 win.
All five of the Eagles' starters reached double figures in scoring led by Cassidy Burkholder with 17 points, nine rebounds, six assists and three steals. Briana Moore had 13 points, eight rebounds and four assists while Oshene Kelly notched a double-double with 11 points and 10 boards. Jessi Strom and Jessica Lam added 12 and 10 points, respectively.
Bridgewater shot 30-for-67 (44.8%) for the game and hit five three pointers, all of which came after halftime. The Eagles overcame 23 turnovers and converted 76.5 percent (13-of-17) of their free throws to eke out the win. BC also held a 44-38 advantage on the boards.
E&H senior forward Tamara Brewster (Morrow, Ga.) led all players with 18 points off the bench on seven-for-11 shooting from the floor and six rebounds before fouling out. Junior guard Megan Jacoby (Richmond, Va.) had 16 points and four assists, hitting a pair of three's while senior forward Karina Farr (Graham, Wash.) notched 11 points, five boards and four steals. Freshman guard Taylor Blevins (Abingdon, Va.) had a game-high 12 rebounds to go along with four points, two assists, three blocks and three steals.
As a team, the Wasps were 41.7 percent (30-for-72) from the field, scoring 12 points at the free throw line. Emory & Henry led 44-34 on points in the paint and held an 18-14 advantage on points off turnovers, despite committing 19 miscues.
E&H will remain on the road on Wednesday when it visits Roanoke College for an ODAC game at the C. Homer Bast Center. Tipoff between the Wasps and Maroons is set for 7:00 p.m.
---E&H---
-photo courtesy of Caleb Johnston, E&H '15