HICKORY, N.C. — For the second time in 16 days Walters State and Catawba Valley needed an extra period to settle a game. This time it was the No. 15-Ranked NJCAA Division II Red Hawks that came out on top, downing the Lady Senators 67-60 in overtime at the Tarlton Complex Thursday afternoon.
The Lady Senators (9-5) staged a furious comeback in the final period to push it to a fifth stanza. Down 49-41 heading into the fourth, Paris Mullins sank a layup to start the rally for Walters State.
A layup and free throw from Mullins pulled WSCC within three as the Lady Senators' defense held Catawba Valley without a point for the fourth's opening two and a half minutes.
The Red Hawks were able to stop the bleeding with two free throws from Tazah Hardin, but momentum was on Walters State's side as Mullins continued her barrage, tapping in a layup with 5:59 to go to pull the Lady Senators within four.
Two minutes later it would be a Blayre Shultz three-pointer that would tie the game, 54-54.
Aniya Taylor hit two free throws for CVCC to regain the lead, but Shultz matched her with a little under three to go to knot the game up once more.
A layup would put the Red Hawks ahead 58-56 with two minutes on the clock and the score sat there, time ticking away, until Quentarra Mitchell squirted free to knock in the lay-in for Walters State that would send the game into overtime.
WSCC's momentum slipped away in the extra frame. Two more Taylor free throws gave Catawba Valley the lead for good as the Red Hawks held the Lady Senators to just two points in overtime.
Mullins led Walters State with 15 points and eight rebounds. Mitchell scored 13 and hauled in seven boards. Shultz finished with 10 points and eight rebounds.
The Red Hawks got 14 points for Tazah Hardin, 13 from Alliyah Chaplin, 11 from Taylor and 10 from Ariana Montgomery.
ROAD TO 1,000
Thursday's loss snapped a four-game win streak for the Lady Senators. Walters State women's coach Dave Kragel's career win total remains at 998, two away from the 1,000 mark.
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WSCC has no time to ruminate on Thursday's loss. They travel to Tuscaloosa, Ala. Friday to take on Wallace State Community College at the Shelton State New Year's Classic. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.