SAN ANTONIO, Tex.—Making their first postseason appearance in five years, the Lincoln University women’s basketball team nearly recorded the program’s first-ever postseason victory, but fell in overtime, 78-75, to St. Edward’s Thursday afternoon in the Heartland Conference Quarterfinals at the Bill Greehey Arena on the campus of St. Mary’s.
Lincoln (12-15) led throughout the first half, building their largest lead of 11 at the 7:00 mark on a layup by junior Cherakie Barrett giving the Blue Tigers the 22-11 advantage.
St. Edward’s (9-19) came back to trim the lead down to four, as the Blue Tigers held a 30-26 lead at halftime.
The Hilltoppers then looked to have their chance to pull away late in the second half, as a pair of free throws from Kelli Payton put St. Edward’s ahead, 54-48, at the 5:51 mark.
Lincoln came back to tie the game at the 2:59 mark on a three-pointer by sophomore Quenita Washington. St. Edward’s would build the lead back to three with 25 seconds to play, leaving Lincoln with another shot to tie the game.
After a timeout, senior Stacey Smith delivered a three-pointer to tie the game at 66 with nine seconds to play in regulation.
St. Edward’s would then turn it over on the inbounds pass, leaving the Blue Tigers with a chance to win the game.
With four seconds still left on the clock, the inbounds pass went to Barrett and as she broke near the free throw line, she let loose a one-handed running jumper that hit the backboard and off the side of the rim and out to force overtime.
The teams would tie three more times in the extra session, with the last occurring with 2:35 to play after Sara Head converted a pair of free throws to put St. Edward’s back in front, 72-71.
The Hilltoppers would build the lead to five with 25 seconds to play, but Lincoln refused to go away, as Barrett raced down the court for a layup to cut the lead back to three, 76-73, with 16 seconds to play. After St. Edward’s split a pair of free throws, Barrett again raced down the floor for a quick basket to cut the deficit to two, 77-75, with eight seconds to play. St. Edward’s would again split the free throws, leaving Lincoln just down three, but the Blue Tigers took five seconds to get the ball to the front court and call timeout, leaving under two seconds to play. On the following inbounds pass, the Blue Tigers caught the ball out near midcourt and couldn’t get a shot off, ending the game and giving St. Edward’s the narrow victory.
Four Blue Tigers scored in double-figures, with Smith leading the way with 17 points and 11 rebounds, as she recorded her eighth double-double of the season. Senior Ashley Norris concluded her career with a near double-double, posting 16 points and nine caroms. Washington added 15 points, hitting three, three-pointers, while Barrett finished with 14 points. Along with Smith and Norris, it was the final game for senior Liere Dancy, as she played 37 minutes, scoring four points and pulling down five rebounds.
Payton led the Hilltoppers and all-scorers with 21 points, as she scored 20-plus points in all three games against Lincoln this season.
The 12 wins for Lincoln is the most in a season since 2003-04 when the Blue Tigers went 12-12.
Lincoln vs St. Edward's
03/04/10 12:00 p.m. at San Antonio, Texas (Greehey Arena)
At San Antonio, Texas (Greehey Arena)
ST. EDWARD'S 78, LINCOLN 75
LINCOLN (12-15)
Smith, Stacey 7-13 0-0 17; Norris, Ashley 7-14 2-5 16; Washington, Quenita
5-15 2-2 15; Barrett, Cherakie 7-11 0-0 14; Adams, Terika 3-5 3-5 9; Dancy,
Liere 2-8 0-0 4. Totals 31-66 7-12 75.
ST. EDWARD'S (9-19)
Kelli Payton 6-16 8-9 21; Brittany Ward 4-13 6-8 16; Sarah Milewski 5-7 2-3
12; Monica James 5-7 2-2 12; Sara Head 3-6 5-5 11; Shaniqua Adams 1-5 0-0 3;
Shan Ghanem 1-2 0-0 2; Kasey Harlos 0-0 1-2 1. Totals 25-56 24-29 78.
Lincoln....................... 30 36 9 - 75
St. Edward's.................. 26 40 12 - 78
3-point goals--Lincoln 6-15 (Smith, Stacey 3-5; Washington, Quenita 3-9;
Norris, Ashley 0-1), St. Edward's 4-18 (Brittany Ward 2-6; Shaniqua Adams
1-3; Kelli Payton 1-8; Shan Ghanem 0-1). Fouled out--Lincoln-Dancy, Liere,
St. Edward's-None. Rebounds--Lincoln 38 (Smith, Stacey 11), St. Edward's 31
(Sara Head 7). Assists--Lincoln 14 (Barrett, Cherakie 8), St. Edward's 15
(Brittany Ward 5). Total fouls--Lincoln 20, St. Edward's 15. Technical
fouls--Lincoln-None, St. Edward's-None. A-150
Quarterfinal #1 Heartland Conference Tournament.