DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque women's basketball team hosted the Simpson College Storm on Saturday afternoon in an important A-R-C matchup. The Spartans were able to force overtime at the end of regulation and ultimately prevailed in the second overtime period to beat the Storm 83-76.
The Storm came out with the edge in the first four minutes with a 14-5 lead, but the Spartans were able to finish the quarter on a 10-4 run to close within three. The Spartans got the lead back with 7:40 remaining in the second quarter and even got their lead as big as 27-23 with just under five to play before halftime. Simpson responded with six straight points to retake the lead 29-27 and
Felicity Figlinski hit a three pointer on the next possession down the court to grab the lead back. Simpson had the upper hand in the final minute with a quick 5-0 run to lead 30-34 at the half.
Simpson made a layup to start the second half, but the Spartans had their biggest run of the game with 12 straight points to lead by six at 42-36. The Storm would reciprocate with a 12-0 run of their own to take back their six point lead with 43 seconds left in the third quarter. The Spartans scored the final five points of the quarter trailing by one with a quarter left to play. The Spartans were able to lead by as many four points in the fourth quarter with 2:28 left. Simpson scored the next six points to lead by two with four seconds remaining in the game. The Spartans would call timeout to move the ball to half court on the inbound and
Isabella Tierney would drive to the left side of the basket and as she threw it up and it went in plus the foul with .5 seconds left on the clock. Tierney would have a chance to seal the game at the line, but would just miss off the rim to send the game to overtime.
In the first overtime period, Simpson got out to a six point lead through the first half of overtime and just as Simpson had all of the momentum, the Spartans raced back to tie the game at 74-74 with two made free throws by
Morgan Hawkins with 1:12 left. Each team had their chances in the final minute, but a few turnovers sent the game to a second overtime. The Spartans dominated the second overtime allowing only two points as they finished off with a thrilling 83-76 victory.
Five Spartans ended in double figures as
Tabria Thomas led the team with 21 points including four three pointers. Figlinski and Tierney each added 12 points. Two Spartans reach a double-double as
Megan Teal scored 11 and grabbed 11 rebounds.
Karsen Kershner added 10 points and 12 boards. Hawkins had a career-high 16 rebounds on the defensive end.
The Spartans made a season-high 12 three-pointers and collected 66 rebounds as a team.
The Spartans move to 11-7 overall and 5-4 in conference play.
Up Next
The Spartans will travel to Nebraska on Wednesday to play Nebraska Wesleyan University at 3:00 p.m. on January 24.
