2008 Woodie Awards
Penguins suffer heartbreaking loss in double OT
Andrew Berry, Sports Editor
Issue date: 2/12/08 Section: Sports
In as close as a contest as there's ever been in college basketball, the Youngstown State University women's basketball team nearly pulled out a huge game Saturday night at the Beeghly Center.
Despite having a solid outing from the offense that saw four players reach double figures and three score more than 20 points, the Penguins ran into two problems: The Penguins could not contain Milwaukee's top scorer Traci Edwards, and whistle-happy referees forced four Penguins into fouling out of the game.
The game witnessed 12 lead changes between the Penguins and Panthers, and more drama than ever as the final minutes of the game unfolded. Even though it looked like the Milwaukee squad had stolen another one after an Aubri Rote 3-pointer gave the Panthers a 71-69 edge with 14 seconds remaining, the Penguins forced overtime with an Ashley Pendleton jumper with three seconds to go.
Tied at 71 a piece, the Panthers broke open the first overtime period with a 3-pointer and a 5-point lead. After the Penguins tied the score at 77-77, they jumped out in front on Tiara Scott's 3-point play.
With 26 seconds to play and the Penguins leading 80-79, Lauren Branson went to charity stripe looking to ice the Panthers with two foul shots. Branson knocked down her first shot but was unable to convert the second. The Panthers put the ball into the hands of Edwards, who came up with the big shot to send it to double overtime tied at 81.
That's where the miracle run for the Penguins ended as the team didn't have enough gas in the tank left to keep up with the Panthers. By the time the Penguins scored their first basket of the second overtime period, there was just 1:46 left to play and Milwaukee had built a 10-point lead. As the Penguins struggled down the stretch, the Panthers clinched the 94-85 win.
Although the game resulted in a loss, the Penguins put together a gutsy performance and maintained a close game even after losing four players to five personal fouls apiece. Including the four foul-outs, the team was whistled for 31 infractions, and both teams combined for 56 foul calls. The only Penguin not to get the whistle blown on her was Kelsey Gurganus who played 24 minutes of penalty-free basketball.
Despite having a solid outing from the offense that saw four players reach double figures and three score more than 20 points, the Penguins ran into two problems: The Penguins could not contain Milwaukee's top scorer Traci Edwards, and whistle-happy referees forced four Penguins into fouling out of the game.
The game witnessed 12 lead changes between the Penguins and Panthers, and more drama than ever as the final minutes of the game unfolded. Even though it looked like the Milwaukee squad had stolen another one after an Aubri Rote 3-pointer gave the Panthers a 71-69 edge with 14 seconds remaining, the Penguins forced overtime with an Ashley Pendleton jumper with three seconds to go.
Tied at 71 a piece, the Panthers broke open the first overtime period with a 3-pointer and a 5-point lead. After the Penguins tied the score at 77-77, they jumped out in front on Tiara Scott's 3-point play.
With 26 seconds to play and the Penguins leading 80-79, Lauren Branson went to charity stripe looking to ice the Panthers with two foul shots. Branson knocked down her first shot but was unable to convert the second. The Panthers put the ball into the hands of Edwards, who came up with the big shot to send it to double overtime tied at 81.
That's where the miracle run for the Penguins ended as the team didn't have enough gas in the tank left to keep up with the Panthers. By the time the Penguins scored their first basket of the second overtime period, there was just 1:46 left to play and Milwaukee had built a 10-point lead. As the Penguins struggled down the stretch, the Panthers clinched the 94-85 win.
Although the game resulted in a loss, the Penguins put together a gutsy performance and maintained a close game even after losing four players to five personal fouls apiece. Including the four foul-outs, the team was whistled for 31 infractions, and both teams combined for 56 foul calls. The only Penguin not to get the whistle blown on her was Kelsey Gurganus who played 24 minutes of penalty-free basketball.
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