Albion Battles Past Saint Mary’s in Overtime
Box Score
ALBION, MI – In a game in which neither team held a lead larger than eight points, Albion overcame a late deficit in regulation and eventually squeaked by Saint Mary’s in overtime, 71-68.
During a contest were the lead exchanged hands on 14 occasions and featured a tie score 15 times, Albion improved to 9-7 overall and 4-4 in MIAA play while the Belles fell to 5-10 and 4-4 respectively.
In the first half Albion control the offensive board by posting a 16-5 edge in second chance points in helping them take a 31-27 lead at intermission.
The Britons pushed their advantage to 35-27, 90 seconds into the second half before the Belles rattled off eight consecutive points to knot the score at 35-35 with 15:07 remaining in the game. Neither team held a lead larger than four points the rest of the game.
An Alison Kessler jumper with 2:07 left game Saint Mary’s a 57-56 lead but a pair of foul shots by Albion’s Kati Till pushed the lead back to the Britons with 1:33 remaining. Anna Kammrath gave the lead back to the Belles 16 seconds later on a lay-up during the Belles next possession. Albion turned the ball over with 1:09 left and Kessler nailed a three-pointer to give the Belles a 62-58 lead with 43 seconds left.
Jessica Babcock converted on a four-point play with 23 seconds remaining to tie the score at 62-62. Saint Mary’s couldn’t get a shot off in the finals seconds.
Till put Albion up 67-64 on a pair of free throws 90 seconds into the overtime session. Kessler came back and nailed her sixth three-pointer of the game to tie the score with 3:04 left. Kessler gave the Belles a 68-67 lead with a minute left on a free throw. Babcock hit a jumper with 40 seconds left as the lead changed hands for the final time.
The Belles turned the ball over on their next possession with 21 seconds left. After a Saint Mary’s foul, two missed foul shots by Autumn Charnley gave the Belles another chance with 13 seconds remaining. However another Belles turnover sealed and two ensuing Briton free throws sealed the game.
Kessler posted a career high 31 points on the strength of a 6-for-8 effort from behind the arc. Bridget Lipke posted her second career double-double with a 12-point, 10-assist effort.
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