Hendrix Warriors’ Comeback Falls Short in OT

Courtesy Hendrix College Athletics Department

ROME, Ga. – The Hendrix College women’s basketball team overcame a late 14-point deficit to force overtime, but lost 66-63 in the extra period to Southern Athletic Association foe Berry College at the Cage Center on Sunday afternoon.

Trailing 53-39 with 7:40 left in regulation, the Warriors (0-13, 0-3) mounted a 19-5 run to end the half, capped by a basket by junior forward Jamie Tate with 1.7 seconds left to force overtime. Tied at 62-62 in the extra frame, the Vikings (5-6, 2-1) hit a layup by Alexa Evans with 58 seconds remaining to regain the lead. Hendrix sophomore forward Lindsay Drillette went 1-for-2 at the line at the 46 second mark to cut the lead to one, but Mel McLean answered with a basket with nine seconds to play. The Warriors missed a pair of baskets in the final seconds to give Berry the victory.

In the first half Hendrix built a 20-11 lead with 5:29 left, but Berry outscored the Warriors 18-6 the rest of the way to take a 29-26 lead into the break.

For the game, the Warriors shot 27 percent (21-of-79), 5-of-22 from three-point range and 16-of-26 at the free throw line. The Vikings shot 39 percent (26-of-67), 2-of-14 from outside and 12-of-20 at the stripe. Berry had a 60-49 rebound advantage. Hendrix turned the ball over a season-low 10 times and tied their best effort with 11 steals.

Tate scored 15 points, grabbed 16 rebounds, dished out two assists, blocked a shot and registered five steals to lead the Warriors. Tate moved her career rebounding total up to 746, just eight away from breaking the school record.

Freshman guard Caitlin Kriesel-Bigler also scored 15 points to go with five assists and three steals and freshman forward Katy Gallien added 10 points and six boards. Sophomore Kati Broberg and freshman Estrella Flores had eight points each.

McLean and Tara Mullinax led the Vikings with 16 points and nine rebounds each. Chanlir Segarra had 15 points and seven boards and Megan Walsh came off the bench to score seven points and pull down 20 rebounds.

Hendrix will play their final non-conference game of the season on Tuesday night against Central Baptist College at A.R. Reddin Field House in Conway.