HARROGATE, Tenn. - The Anderson University Women's Basketball team battled and defeated upset- minded Lincoln Memorial, 88-83, in double overtime and remain undefeated in the South Atlantic Conference, to close their two game road swing at Tex Turner Arena.
The 14th ranked Trojans improved to 11-1 overall and 9-0 in the SAC to remain in first place in league play, while Lincoln Memorial falls to 8-6 overall and 5-4 in the SAC.
It took a complete team effort to fight off determined Lincoln Memorial. Five Anderson players scored in double figures and reserve guard Tamia Eatmon played a key roll, scoring five points, grabbing four rebounds, six assists and three steals. Junior guard Heather Jankowy led Anderson in scoring with a season-high 22 points, on 6-15 shooting, 3-6 behind the arc and 7-9 from the free throw line. She also grabbed five boards and dished out four assists. Jennifer Monroe paced Anderson in the first half with 7-8 shooting. Monroe finished the game with 20 points and seven rebounds, before fouling out with 2:36 left in regulation. Alexis Dillard picked up where Monroe left off, grabbing nine rebounds and finishing with 13 and scoring all of her 14 points in the second half. Dillard also went 6-8 from the charity strip late in the game. Madison Floyd and Nakia Young both finished with 11 points. Young narrowly missed a double-double pulling down nine rebounds.
Lincoln Memorial placed four players in double figures. Megan Pittman led all scorers with 24 points. She also added 18 rebounds and four blocked shots to cap off her double-double performance. Kiara Rawls scored 17 points on 8-14 shooting. Ross Mathis hit five three points and a lone free throw to score 16 points. Britney Guy chipped in 11 points for the Railsplitters.
The game saw 13 lead changes and 13 ties. Anderson's largest lead, seven points, came with 2:21 remaining in the game, but Lincoln Memorial's Mathis drained a three pointer and Pittman scored off of a steal by Stephanie Smith to close the gap to two with 1:37 left in the fourth quarter. Mathis then connected on her fifth 3-point basket of the night to put Lincoln Memorial ahead with 52 seconds remaining in regulation, 66-65. LMU added one more basket and Anderson's Dillard closed out play in regulation hitting three of four foul shots to send the game into overtime.
Lincoln Memorial took a five point lead with 1:42 remaining in the first overtime, but a jumper by Dillard and a three-point basket by Floyd knotted the game at 75-75 with 12 seconds to play. Lincoln Memorial's final attempt was unsuccessful sending the game to double overtime.
Anderson gained a three point advantage early in double over-time off of three made foul shots by Dillard. Lincoln Memorial answered back on a bizarre play that featured a four-point opportunity. Anderson's Jancowy was called for a block while Lincoln Memorial's Guy dished it off to Rawls. Rawls made the lay-up and the foul sent Guy to the line. She connected on both free throws, putting Lincoln Memorial ahead by one with 2:40 left to play. The teams swapped leads over the next 1:42 before Anderson's Young hit the go ahead basket with 58 seconds left in double over-time, marking the second straight game the 5-foot 5 guard has done so. Jankowy scored the final five points to finish off the Railsplitters.
Anderson returns to action at home on Saturday, Jan. 16 against South Atlantic Conference foe Wingate. Tip Off is at 2p.m. at the Abney Athletic Center.
