AIKEN, S.C. - After back-to-back free throws by freshman Alexis Dillard sent the game into overtime, Anderson University women's basketball got key baskets from junior Jasmine Franklin to close the game on a 4-0 run, as the Trojans defeated Lander 85-81 on the final day of the Holley Tractor/Crescent Automotive Conference Challenge on Saturday at USC Aiken's Convocation Center.
The win moves Anderson to 1-1 on the season, after falling to No. 12 ranked USC Aiken on the first day of the Conference Challenge on Saturday. With the overtime victory, head coach Jimmy Garrity earns his first win at the helm of the program.
After Anderson took a 35-30 lead into halftime, sophomore Katie
Davis led the Trojan score with 12 points, shooting 5-for-7 from
the floor. For a team, AU shot 51.9 percent for the opening 20
minutes.
In the second half, Franklin took over as she scored just two
points in the first half. In the final 20 minutes of regulation,
the junior poured in 15 points, as she connected of six of nine
from the field, including a 3-point basket to put AU up 61-57 with
8:27 left in the second half.
From the basket to the remainder of the game, AU and the Bearcats swapped the lead five times and were deadlocked four times, finally drawing even at 74-74 to send the game into overtime.
In overtime, Franklin and classmate Lesley Woods paced the offense with three points apiece, including a key 3-pointer from Woods to give AU its first points in overtime.
After LU drew the score even with 1:36 left into overtime, Franklin would notch a layup, followed by free throws by freshman Nakia Young and Franklin to give Anderson the 85-81 win.
Franklin led all scorers with 22 points, while Woods closely followed with 20. Dillard pull down a career-high 12 rebounds, including nine of the defensive end. Davis would close the game with 16 points and seven rebounds, while junior guard Sierra Simpson earned his first double-double of the season with 10 points and 11 assists.
"It was a great team win against a very talented Lander squad," head coach Jimmy Garrity said. "I am really proud of how our team rebounded after a tough loss last night. We look forward to preparing for Erskine on Tuesday."
Lander, which moves to 1-1 on the season after defeating Mount Olive in the earlier game of the Conference Challenge, was led by Kayla West who scored 14 points. Alexis Armstrong matched Simpson's double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, while Alyssia Watkins and Ty'hesha Reynolds each had 13.
The Trojans have a quick turn as they hit the road in search of their Beville Cup points on Monday when they head to Erskine. Tipoff against the Flying Fleet is set for 5:30 p.m.
