Chelsea Robinson (13) during a game between UCO and Northeastern State at Hamilton Field House, Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Vista
The UCO women’s basketball team collected their biggest win of the season on Saturday, in an overtime thriller vs. their number six ranked rival Northeastern State.
Freshmen Chelsea Robinson missed a shot with five seconds left but NSU didn’t get their shot off in time which left the score tied at 65 heading to the five minute overtime period.
Sarah Green made a layup for the first basket and Carrington Fox would sink two free throws to put NSU up by four points, but then began a run by the Bronchos. Eleven straight points scored including a huge 3-pointer by Chelsea Harper to give the Bronchos a 72-69 lead.
They would not trail again and finished victorious 77-71. We were due to win one like this,” head coach Guy Hardaker said regarding close games.
UCO had fallen victim to these thrilling finishes on more than one recent occasion. Hardaker was proud of the way the girls fought saying, “They battled hard.”
NSU came to Edmond with a 17-1 record and it hadn’t gone unnoticed by Hardaker. “If they’re not the top team in the region, they’re second best,” said Hardaker.
The game got off to a start reminiscent of the last meeting between these old rivals. Two weeks ago NSU routed the Bronchos by 19.
Harper did score the first five points for the Bronchos including a one of her two 3-pointers. But fouls came early and often, five in the first four minutes, and the Riverhawks took advantage.
They built a 12 point lead at the 13:20 mark after Jasmine Wright converted a three point play with a layup and a foul. Sophomore guard Jill Bryan answered with a 3-pointer of her own and began a run by the Bronchos.
Within five minutes of their biggest deficit, the game was tied at 24, when Autumn Huffman converted a layup while being fouled. Her free throw tied the game.
The teams went back and forth before UCO got a boost.
Rachel New and Chelsi Dennis each hit a 3-pointer to give the Bronchos a five point lead, 33-28. With 48 seconds left Cristy Nitz sank a three for the Riverhawks to pull them within two at halftime.
The second half seemed to be identical to the first with NSU opening up on a run and UCO answering back. “It’s a game of runs,” Hardaker said.
At the 11:49 mark a Taylor Lewis layup gave the Riverhawks a seven point lead. Bryan again sank a three to spark the run for the Bronchos.
Nitz led the way for the Riverhawks scoring 23 points, and grabbing nine rebounds. Also scoring in double figures was Wright, with 15 points and Lewis, who scored 11.
Harper was the leading scorer for the Bronchos at 18. Heather Davis added 16 and Bryan 12.
Robinson scored nine off the bench with six rebounds and five assists and reigning Independent Collegiate Athletic Association (ICAA) Player of the Week Savannah Hamilton also scored nine, but fouled out during the overtime period.
The Bronchos will stay home this week and host Newman University at 2:00 p.m. Saturday. After they travel to Tahlequah for a rematch with the Riverhawks Feb. 11, they finish the season with their final three games at home.
[View more photos from the game here.]
