Women's Basketball 12/5/2015 12:00:00 AM

Buzzer-beater in 2OT sinks Women's Basketball at MVNU

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio – Junior Kylie Townsley hit a free throw to tie the game with less than a minute to go in double overtime, but Mount Vernon Nazarene University would hit a jumper at the buzzer to hand the Spring Arbor University women's basketball team a 78-76 loss on Saturday.

The loss was the third straight for the Cougars as they drop to 5-5 on the season and 0-3 in the Crossroads League while MVNU improved to 8-3 overall and 2-1 in conference play.

Spring Arbor trailed by seven, 58-51, with 1:53 left in the fourth quarter but back-to-back buckets from junior Rachel Driesenga and Townsley closed the gap to three. The Cougars still faced a three point deficit in the closing seconds and junior Aimee Konkel looked to even the score with a three-pointer, but her attempt rimmed out. Driesenga hauled in the offensive rebound and scored on a put-back, and was fouled. Driesenga would hit the clutch free throw to complete the three point play and force overtime.

In the first extra period, SAU held a 68-64 lead with less than a minute remaining on the clock but the home team would get baskets from Sierra Basista and Rachel Parks to tie the score and send the game to a second OT.

Mount Vernon Nazarene was clinging to a one point advantage with 32 seconds left, but Townsley connected on a free throw to even the score, but Basista would come through for MVNU again hitting a shot at the buzzer.

Spring Arbor was limited to 30 percent (24-for-79) shooting while MVNU hit 41 percent (25-for-61) of its attempts.

Driesenga and Townsley both registered double-doubles. Driesenga poured in 28 points and grabbed 15 rebounds –both career-highs – while Townsley finished with 16 points and 10 boards. Sophomore Autumn Goggin and sophomore Faith Johnson also scored in double figures adding 15 and 11 points, respectively.

Spring Arbor will look to bounce back against Holy Cross College (3-8) on Tuesday, Dec. 8.

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