Warrior's Offense More Consistent but Still Fall in 2OT

Sterling, Kan. – The Lady Warriors played one of their most consistent games in terms of scoring in recent games, but it was not enough to get them over the hump and back in the win column. It took an extra ten minutes of play before Kansas Wesleyan was able to come away with a 99-94 win in double overtime.

The first quarter was tight between these two team, showcasing multiple ties throughout, but it was Kansas Wesleyan held on to a slim three point lead after the first quarter. Sterling came out with guns blazing in the second quarter and outscored the Coyotes 16-3 in six minutes of second quarter play. They opened up a ten point lead with the run before KWU answered and closed out the first half on a 9-0 run themselves. Heading into halftime, Sterling held on to a 35-34 lead.

Kansas Wesleyan caught fire in the third quarter dropping 5 three's in a 23 point quarter. Sterling did their best to keep up, but found themselves down 5 with ten minutes to play in regulation. The Warriors were held at arm's length, occasionally cutting the lead to just two. Down seven with under a minute to play, Korynn Clason and Alissa Heskamp sunk several key free throws before Kali Briar was fouled on a three point shot attempt with 6.6 second left in regulation with Sterling down three. Briar hit all three shots with ease and the game was heading into overtime.  

The Coyotes hit threes and the Warriors worked the two-point game. Bailey Young was where the Warriors turned. Young scored 7 of the team's 9 points in the first overtime. At the end of the first overtime period, Briar had a good look at the basket after making a double move along the baseline, but the shot attempt came up just long, and they were headed to a second overtime.

KWU had a nearly perfect second overtime going 12-14 from the free throw line and a perfect 2-2 from the field, both of which were three point attempts. Sterling put together a good push in the second overtime, but their 13 points paled in comparison to Kansas Wesleyan's 18 points in just 5 minutes of play.

Sterling once again had strong performances from Clason, Heskamp, Briar, and Young. Clason had 25 points and 9 rebounds, while Heskamp scored 24, and added 5 rebound, 4 assists and 4 steals. Briar went for 17 points, 3 assists and 3 steals, and Young just missed another double double with 15 points and 9 rebounds, while adding 4 blocks.

The Lady Warriors are 7-10 (4-7) and are on a 5 game skid. They are back in action on Saturday afternoon taking on McPherson College with a 5 pm scheduled tipoff.

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