MARIETTA, GA — The final minutes of the game would prove to be thrilling for the Life U Women as they battle down to the wire against Mid-South newcomer Thomas More.
The game would start out similar to previous matchups for Life U. After the Women's first conference win against Georgetown, they looked to keep up the same tempo they had on Thursday. The score would stay in close proximity, but Thomas More would extend the lead to nine points to close out the first quarter.
The second quarter would be closer in score, however Thomas More would look to keep the lead at 10 points, but a steal and lay-up from the Running Eagles' Maeisha Teasley would cut the lead down slightly. The Women would not be able to catch up in the final seconds of the first half. The Running Eagles would shoot 41.7% from the field in the first half.
Entering the second half, the Women came out with a different energy. The Saints would fall to back-to-back steals from Teasley and Sydni Tears, cutting the score down to just one point. The Women would close the gap and tie the game at 65, before gaining their first lead for the night.
This wouldn't prove to be enough, as the Saints would fight back to close regulation. But back-to-back three's from Tierra Tullis and Kiana Glenn would close regulation at 80 a piece.
OVERTIME
Life U and Thomas More would go back and forth in overtime; The game would be determined by the last team to score. Kiara Glenn would drive and score a reverse lay-up in the final seven seconds, sending both teams to a second overtime.
The score would stay at a one point difference in double-overtime, but Thomas More would hold out and extend their lead in the final seconds, winning 102-96.
Standout Performances come from Kiana Glenn, who finished with 21 points for the Women. Tierra Lindsey and Sydni Tears would tally identical stats, with Lindsey having 15 points and 6 rebounds, and Tears with 15 points and 7 rebounds. Teasley finished with 13 points and 5 steals.
Coach Ashawnte Hawkins would have this to say on the performance displayed Saturday:
"Tonight's game was definitely one we won't forget. We started off a little rocky, but these ladies brought great energy and effort on both ends of the floor. This was a tough loss, but we most definitely will be going back to the drawing board. We had a number of missed lay-ups and free-throws at crucial times that we will work on prior to next game. Another thing that killed us tonight was was our rim-line defense. It took us too long to get the hang of getting to help-side defense and scrambling out to shooters. We will work at a number of things over the next few days. I lastly want to point out some of the good, which was the 6 players we had in double figures tonight. This here shows a lot of what we are capable of night in and night out. Overall, I am pleased with the performance from this this group of young ladies as well as the staff."
UP NEXT
The Women will travel to Denmark, SC to take on Vorhees College on January 22 at 6PM.
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