PEMBROKE – Columbus State connected on all five shots in the overtime period and knocked down three key free throws, while the UNC Pembroke women's basketball team only shot 1-of-6 from the charity stripe, as Columbus State held on for a 75-71 overtime victory on Saturday evening at Lumbee Guaranty Bank Count. 
 
The setback for the Braves (0-3, 0-3 PBC) marks the seventh straight loss at home to Columbus State, while the Cougars (1-0, 1-0 PBC) improve to 15-5 all-time when playing in Pembroke. 







 

THE BASICS

SCORE: Columbus State 75, UNC Pembroke 71 (OT) RECORDS:  UNC Pembroke (0-3, 0-2 PBC), Columbus State (1-0, 1-0 PBC) LOCATION: Lumbee Guaranty Bank Court (Pembroke, N.C.)

HOW IT HAPPENED

1ST QUARTER

UNC Pembroke took an early 3-0 lead with a fastbreak three from Kelci Adams two minutes into action. Columbus State took its first lead of the evening on a fastbreak layup from Chrisalyn Boston halfway through the period. UNCP capitalized on free throws and converted on 5-for-6 during the quarter, including two at the end of the period from Aaliyah Bell to push the Braves in front 12-9 heading into the second quarter.

2ND QUARTER

UNCP extended its lead out to five points, 18-13, with a jumper in the paint from Diamond Fedrick with 6:21 remaining in the half. The Cougars responded with back-to-back layups to trim their deficit back to 18-17, at the 5:03 mark, and would eventually close out the quarter on an 11-8 scoring advantage to send the teams into the locker rooms with Columbus State holding a 28-25 lead.

3RD QUARTER

The hosts took its largest lead of the night, 44-34, off of an old-fashioned three-point play from Jadin Gladden with three minutes left in the quarter. The Braves shot nearly 53 percent during the period, and limited Columbus State to just 28 percent shooting from the field. The Cougars outscored the hosts 10-4 in the final minutes, but UNCP held a 48-44 lead heading into the final period of regulation.

4TH QUARTER

Chrisalyn Boston converted on a three-point play to put Columbus State back on top, 57-56, with 4:21 remaining in regulation. UNCP's Kelci Adams knocked down a trey from the corner to put the Braves ahead by two, but the Cougars responded with a three of their own from Emilia Tenbrock to push Columbus State back out in front, 60-59 with 1:36 on the clock. Alcenia Purnell made the back end of her two free throws to tie the score at 60 just 18 seconds later. UNC Pembroke forced a turnover and had one final look, but the shot didn't fall and sent the game to overtime.

OVERTIME

Columbus State took what would be its largest lead of the night, 72-65, on a three from Amber Abusbeih with 47 ticks remaining. UNCP knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers from Tiara Williams and Kelci Adams to cut the hosts deficit back to 72-71, but the Cougars finished off the game with three free throws to secure the victory.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

+ Gabby Smith scored a career-high 17 points on 6-for-17 shooting. Smith just missed a double-double with nine rebounds, which also was a team best and career-high. + Diamond Fedrick also had a career-high 17 points in 22 minutes of action. The senior also pulled down six rebounds. + Freshman Kelci Adams added nine points. Adams also had six rebounds, and one assist, block and steal.

NOTABLES

+ The Black & Gold forced 17 turnovers and turned those into 17 points. UNCP only had 10 turnovers. + UNCP shot 57 percent from the free throw line, but connected on just 1-for-6 in overtime.   + The Braves continue to pick up quality points from its bench including 29 points tonight.

UP NEXT

The Braves will be back in action on Wednesday when they travel to South Carolina to face USC Aiken (0-2, 0-1 PBC). Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at the Convocation Center.

STAY CONNECTED

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JOIN THE BRAVES CLUB

Fans can help support the UNC Pembroke Women's Basketball program by joining the Braves Club. To find out more information about the Braves Club, visit UNCPBraves.com/BravesClub or email braves.club@uncp.edu.