Todd Ryals

Ladies Win in OT; Jones Reaches 1,000

2/6/2018 12:29:00 AM

By: LC Sports Information - Brad Welborn

Box Score

It took overtime for the Louisiana College women's basketball team to complete the win but they were finally able to finish off Belhaven University with an 85-81 win on Monday night. The Wildcats shot just 33.3 percent in the game, but benefited greatly from a 56.4 free throw shooting percentage by the Blazers in the game, missing 17 total from the charity stripe. The Wildcats continue American Southwest Conference play Thursday night as they host LeTourneau University in the annual Fill the Fieldhouse night at H.O. West Fieldhouse on the LC campus.

The first half belonged completely to the visiting Blazers as they outdid the Wildcats in every statistical category, except free throw shooting. They were able to make up for their poor performance from the line with a 63.6 percent clip from the field, making 14-of-22 attempts in the first half, including 5-of-6 from long range.

The Blazers led almost wire to wire in the first quarter, but LC went on top for the first time after a quick 6-0 burst with 1:47 left in the quarter with Kourtney McGhee hitting a jumper that put the Wildcats up 14-11. Belhaven answered right back however with nine straight points to end the quarter and hold the 20-14 advantage after the first 10 minutes of play.

The second quarter was much of the same as the Blazers stretched their lead to as much as 18 by the 5:30 mark of the second. LC was able to chip away some over the final five minutes of the half, but Belhaven held a comfortable 41-29 lead at halftime. As they have done time and time again this year, the Wildcats came out on fire in the third quarter. A 16-5 run by the Wildcats through the first 5:20 of the third brought them storming back and only down by one point at 46-45. The Blazers held the lead the rest of the quarter but it was clear that the Wildcats had the momentum heading to the fourth.

A 3-pointer from RyDeja McQuarn at the 8:46 mark of the fourth gave the Wildcats their first lead since the first quarter, with Zharian Maxmillion adding to the advantage a few seconds later on a layup after a Belhaven turnover. Down by one at the media timeout, the Wildcats went on an 8-0 burst coming out of the break that put them up 75-68 with just over three minutes ago, with all signs pointing to an easy finish. Like they did at the end of the first quarter, the Blazers found the seven straight points they needed to tie the game on a layup with 17 seconds left and send the game into overtime, as the Wildcats final attempt could not be made.

LC seized the early momentum on a Kourtney McGhee "and-1" play that game the Wildcats three quick points just a few seconds into the extra frame. McGhee's free throw on that play would prove to be the key it kept the Wildcats just out of range of Belhaven the rest of the way. Jonika Walton made three important free throws in the overtime period, including knocking down a pair with 17 seconds left that made it a two-possession game, and sealed the win for the Wildcats.

Senior center Brooke Jones finished the game with 14 points, the exact number she needed to join the Louisiana College 1,000 point club, earning it with a layup in overtime. She added six rebounds in the game as well. Kourtney McGhee was the night's top scorer, finishing with 25 points, a season high for the senior, along with five assists. Jonika Walton and Zharian Maxmillion both had nine points in the game and RyDeja McQuarn finished with eight.

The Wildcats host LeTourneau on Thursday night at H.O. West Fieldhouse in their second ASC contest of the week, and their first on campus since November. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Fill the Fieldhouse night. Stay connected to Louisiana College women's basketball by following @LC_WBB on Twitter. For general athletics news follow @LC_Wildcats on Twitter or like Louisiana College Wildcats on Facebook.

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