HILLSBORO – After battling on even terms for 40 minutes the Tabor women took control in overtime and pulled away from Kansas Wesleyan for a 75-68 Kansas Conference victory Saturday night.
The Coyotes dropped to 19-5 overall and 15-3 in the KCAC while Tabor improved to 15-8 and 13-5.
The game was close throughout: KWU led 16-12 after one quarter, took a 29-28 lead into the locker room at halftime and trailed 44-42 after three quarters.
Jill Stephens' 3-pointer with 1:08 left in regulation gave the Coyotes a 57-54 lead but Tabor scored the next four points and led 58-54 with 9 seconds left.
LaMyah Ricks tied it by making the second of two free throws with 4.2 seconds left and a last-second Bluejay shot missed.
KWU led by two three times early in the extra period before Tabor pulled away. The Bluejays scored on their final eight possessions, going 5-for-5 from the field and 7-of-7 at the free throw line.
Ricks got the Coyotes within 69-66 with a field goal with 27 seconds left but Tabor made four consecutive free throws over the next 10 seconds and led 73-66. Ricks scored again to cut the deficit to 73-68 but the Bluejays tacked on two more free throws with 3 seconds remaining to seal it.
"Execution-wise I thought we did a good job," coach
Ryan Showman said on the postgame radio show. "I thought we took what was there and gave ourselves a great opportunity to win the game but just came up short. I thought we played well in overtime, but Tabor made just a few more plays."
Ricks led KWU with 19 points,
Angel Lee had 14 and Stephens nine on three 3-pointers. The Coyotes shot 44 percent (26 of 59) including 6 of 13 from long range but were 10 of 17 from the foul line.
Kloe Bowin scored 22 points on 8 of 10 shooting for Tabor. The Bluejays shot 55 percent (26 of 47), just 1 of 5 from deep, but made 22 of their 31 free throws attempts.
"I loved the fight and the battle we gave, it just didn't bounce our way tonight," Showman said.
The Coyotes conclude the three-game road trip against Bethel at 6 p.m. Wednesday in North Newton. The Threshers (13-11, 12-6 KCAC) defeated Avila 79-78 Saturday in North Newton. They defeated KWU 69-61 on January 8 in Mabee Arena.
