WINONA LAKE, Ind. – The Spring Arbor University women's basketball team survived 55 minutes of road Crossroads League action on Saturday, edging out Grace College 84-77 in triple overtime.
Junior Kylie Townsley led the way for the Cougars with 28 points, which matched her career-high. Townsley was 8-for-19 from the field and went 11-for-13 from the free throw line, including sinking all six attempts in the third extra period to help clinch the win.
The victory improved Spring Arbor to 14-12 overall and 6-8 in the conference. The team's 14 wins are the most in a single season since the 2003-04 campaign. Grace dipped to 6-20 on the year with a 1-13 mark in league play.
The game was back-and-forth all afternoon seeing 18 ties and 15 lead changes. With the Cougars trailing 48-47 early in the fourth quarter, junior Aimee Konkel buried a three-pointer to kick-start a run of six straight points. The quick scoring spurt gave SAU its largest lead of the game to that point, 53-48, with 6:17 remaining in regulation.
Grace would battle back, though, and level the score with less than a minute on the clock. Townsley hit a jumper to put the Cougars back in front with five seconds left, but the Lancers answered with a bucket before the buzzer to force overtime.
In the first overtime period, SAU trailed by three, 65-62, with 41 ticks remaining, but converted an old-fashioned three-point play to send the game into a second overtime.
Spring Arbor would be forced to rally back late again after falling behind by four, 74-70, with 25 seconds remaining. Junior Karly Bender knocked down a shot with 12 seconds to play, and the Cougars would immediately force a Lancer turnover allowing Townsley to lay-in the tying basket just before the horn.
The Cougars took control early in the third overtime and would never relinquish command. Townsley scored the first two points and Konkel followed with a bucket off another GC turnover. Sophomore Faith Johnson and Townsley would then combine to go a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line down the stretch to seal the victory.
"This was just a great game to be a part of," said head coach Ryan Frost. "Both sides competed so hard all day. It really could have gone either way. We were able to make big plays when we needed them and kept our composure in key possessions."
Four other Cougars joined Townsley in double figure scoring, including junior Rachel Driesenga, who registered her sixth double-double of the season with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Johnson and Konkel followed with 12 and 11 points, respectively, while sophomore Autumn Goggin chipped in 10.
Up next, Spring Arbor will host the University of Saint Francis (Ind.) (12-11, 8-6 CL) on Wednesday, Feb. 10 at 7 p.m.
Women's Basketball Contact: Chris Bauman | 517-750-6504 | christopher.bauman@arbor.edu
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