BRIDGEWATER, Va. - In front of a standing room only crowd in Nininger Hall, the Bridgewater College women's basketball team held on for a 58-56 double overtime victory over the defending ODAC champions Lynchburg Wednesday night in Nininger Hall.

The Basics

• Final Score (2OT) - Bridgewater 58, Lynchburg 56
• Records: Bridgewater (8-8, 5-4 ODAC), Lynchburg (9-7, 5-4 ODAC)

How It Happened 

• Mary Ruth Shifflett started the night with a big three pointer on a pass from Jaden Alsberry. From that point on, no team took a lead larger than two points until a Lynchburg three put the Hornets up 12-8. Abby Freeman had an offensive put back to cut the deficit to two at 12-10 to end the first
• Lynchburg extended the lead to 20-13 until a Julia Williams three cut the advantage to four points. Rosemary Pierson joined the three point party with one of her own less just thirty seconds later to cut the lead to one point with just over five minutes to play. The Eagles shifted the momentum in Nininger Hall, racking up seven steals in the quarter and converting three more layups to enter halftime up 25-20
• The vistors fought back in the third quarter as Bridgewater struggled offensively. Lynchburg regained the lead with 25 seconds to play in the quarter to enter the fourth up 36-34
• The teams elevated defensively in the final frame with both squads grabbing nine defensive boards as neither program could get the offense going, sending the game to overtime
• Bridgewater was down 46-42 with one minute to play in the first overtime before Alsberry sank two free throws to cut the deficit to two points at 46-44. Alsberry then grabbed a missed Lynchburg jumper, giving the Eagles 14 seconds to run the offense. Williams put up a floating jump shot with nine seconds remaining to tie the contest at 46-46. The Hornets missed a three with one seconds on the clock, allowing the Eagles to advance the ball after a timeout. Shifflett found a reaching Alsberry, who's shot hit the rim but could not fall to force a second overtime
• Lynchburg scored first in the second overtime and the Eagles quickly knocked in two of their own on an Erika Nettles layup from Shifflett. With the game tied at 54-54 and 16 seconds remaining, Nettles sank two free throws to give the Eagles a 56-54 edge. The Hornets responded with a layup to tie the contest again, leaving ten seconds on the clock. Shifflett ended the night how she started it, sinking a jump shot with five seconds to go to win the contest for Bridgewater 58-56 in an instant classic

Match Notes

• Williams had a career high 19 points to go with four rebounds, three assists and four steals
• Nettles posted a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds
• Alsberry contributed a career high 19 rebounds along with seven steals, seven blocks and eight points
• The Eagles outrebounded the Hornets 66-51 while adding 21 points off of Lynchburg turnovers

Up Next

• Bridgewater will travel to Roanoke on Saturday, January 29 to face the Maroons for the second time is week. Action is set for 2:00 p.m.