SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – After seeing Rochester College scratch and claw its way back from a 20-point deficit to tie the score with less than six minutes remaining, the Spring Arbor University women's basketball team answered with a 15-1 run over a three minute span to hang on and defeat the visiting Warriors 79-65 on Wednesday night.
Sophomore Kylie Townsley recorded a double-double to lead the way for the Cougars, posting a game-high 23 points and a career-best 13 rebounds. Karly Bender followed with 14 points while Aimee Konkel, Rachel Driesenga and Jessica Mabry all added 10 apiece.
After Rochester (3-3) scored the game's first point, Townsley answered with a bucket at the other end to spark an 8-0 run. The 5-6 guard from Macomb, Michigan would score six of the first eight points, and 15 through the first 20 minutes, to help the Cougars push their lead to 20, 33-13, at the 6:14 mark.
The Warriors managed to trim the deficit to 14 with less than a minute to play before halftime, but Bender knocked down a triple in the closing seconds to put Spring Arbor up 44-27 at the break.
The Cougars struggled early in the second half, scoring only six points through the first 14 minutes, allowing the visitors to climb back into the game. A three-pointer from Caitlin Charlebois capped a 15-0 run by the Warriors, tying the score at 48-48 with 7:47 left.
With the score still tied and just over five minutes to play, Konkel drilled a huge three to put the Cougars back on top for good. After being held in check for most of the second half, SAU erupted for 27 points over the final five minutes to put the game out of reach.
In addition to her 10 points, Driesenga added nine rebounds while senior Lindsey Burnside hauled in 10. Konkel dished out five assists and Bender finished with four.
The Cougars shot 44 percent (27-for-61) from the field for the game compared to Rochester's 34 percent (21-for-61). The home team also had an advantage on the glass, grabbing 47 rebounds to RC's 37.
Spring Arbor (1-1) returns to the court on Saturday, Nov. 8 when they travel to Palos Heights, Ill. to take on Trinity Christian College (0-2). The game will tip-off at 1 p.m.
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