In a game that went to overtime, the Skyhawks edged past the Quinnipiac Bobcats 102-97
“That’s a huge win,” said head coach Kevin McMillan. “That is the biggest win our program has had since I’ve been here. … [it’s] a huge win for our program and hopefully we can build on that.”
The game was the team’s third in the tournament and their first in the WNIT Consolation Bracket.
The teams exchanged the lead throughout the first half with a total of 12 lead changes before halftime. The Skyhawks were able to take a 37-36 lead into the half, but the Bobcats we’re able to retake the lead early in the second half.
UTM pulled out to a 12 point lead with 10:33 left in the game, but the Bobcats were able to pull within three points with only 4:14 left to play.
Quinnipiac took a 78-77 lead with a minute left to play, but a three-pointer from Heather Butler regained the lead for the Skyhawks. Shortly after making the shot, Butler received her fifth foul of the game and was forced to the bench.
With only five seconds left on clock, and the game tied at 83, UTM’s Jasmine Newsome drove the ball down the court, but was unable to connect on the game-winning shot.
In overtime, Quinnipiac jumped out to an 87-84 lead, but the Skyhawks were able to once again tie the game, this time at 87.
UTM went on a 9-2 run to give them the lead and they would hang on to claim their second victory of the season.
“I thought the difference tonight, versus what we’ve been doing, was our effort,” said McMillan. “I thought we played harder than we’ve been playing. … If we would’ve lost that game I would’ve been upset that we lost, but our effort is such that we’ll win games.”
With Butler on the bench, McMillan knew the game was in the hands of Newsome.
“We’re not very complicated in that scenario, with Butler on the bench and as many kids as we had sitting over there it was going to be, ‘look, Jasmine, either we’re going to win it or lose it with you. We’re going to put it in your hands and do some different things to try to get you free.'”
Newsome finished the game with a career-high 44 points and a team-high 8 assist. She also crossed the 2,000 point mark for her career and now sits at 2,033. Butler totaled 31 points on the night. Despite only scoring one point, Tiara Caldwell tied for a game-high with 13 rebounds, 10 of which were defensive.
