Charleston, WV – Mercyhurst Women's Basketball falls to West Liberty after an intense matchup that went to double overtime. Despite multiple great plays from the Lakers, the Hilltoppers won the game by a score of 108-107.
How It Happened
The Lakers returned to the Wehrle Innovation Center to continue the PSAC vs MEC Challenge with the match against West Liberty. They started the game slowly, as the Hilltoppers built up a nine-point lead after the first quarter. The second quarter was similar, and despite a couple of good plays by Danielle Grim, West Liberty held on to their lead and went into the break winning by 12 points.
Mercyhurst came into the second half full of energy and determination to make a comeback. However, the Hilltoppers kept scoring the ball in the third quarter and not letting the Lakers get closer. Mercyhurst stepped on the gas with 2:56 left on the clock in the fourth quarter, as Bailey Kuhns knocked down two free throws, and followed that with a jumper 20 seconds later.
On the next play, Grim stole the ball and scored, minimalizing West Liberty's lead to just six points. She struck again just a minute later with another fast break layup, as she broke the entire press defense herself and beat her defender with a graceful spin-move.
The Lakers got another stop, and went into transition, Grim missed her shot but Kuhns was right there as she got an offensive rebound and put it back in with a foul. After she capitalized on the free throw the Lakers were just one point behind West Liberty, . Mercyhurst fouled on the next play, but West Liberty ended up making only one free throw. The Lakers had 17 seconds on the clock to score and they did just that as Grim crossed her defender and nailed a jumper right in her face.
The game went into the overtime, as both teams played hard and fought for every ball. West Liberty once again build up a slight lead, but the Lakers came back and after two free throws by Ava Waid tied the game with 23 seconds on the clock, 96-96. The Hilltoppers set up a play and tried to hit a game-winner but Grim was right there and blocked the shot.
The Lakers started the second overtime well as after a three-point shot by Grace Clary, they had a four-point lead. The Hilltoppers stayed in the game and after a foul by Grim, Karly McCutcheon made three free throws in the row, tying the at 107-107 with 26 seconds left.
West Liberty set up an out-of-bounds play, as they passed the ball inside and the Laker's got called for a shooting foul. McCutcheon made the game-winning free throw and ended the game with a score of 108-107.
By The Numbers
Danielle Grim led the charge with 26 points on 55% shooting, and she was helped by Paige Woodford, scorer of 17. Bailey Kuhns added 19 points off the bench and recorded seven rebounds.
What's Next
The Lakers are scheduled to play Tiffin on Wednesday, November 16th at 6:00 p.m.
