MANSFIELD, PA. (January 20, 2010) -- The Kutztown University women's basketball team scored the first 15 points of the second overtime to pull away and defeat Mansfield University, 86-73, at Decker Gym in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division thriller Wednesday evening. (Boxscore)

Melissa McQuade scored a game-high 23 points and pulled down 14 rebounds to lead the Golden Bears (11-5 overall, 2-1 PSAC East). Rachel Wisemiller added 15 points and Meredith Starr scored a career-high 14 points. Vivian Melvin added 10 points and nine rebounds.

McQuade rose to the occasion for KU, scoring 10 of her points in the two overtimes. She hit a jumper with 55 seconds remaining and ultimately led to the second extra frame.

The Golden Bear offense followed McQuades lead and went off in the second overtime. Starr hit a jumper in between two McQuade baskets and KU did not let off the brakes. The defense showed up in the final five minutes, shutting out Mansfield until a buzz beater and ended the marathon.

The thieving defense was suffocating all day with 18 steals and forcing 29 turnovers. KU also held a 45-42 advantage in rebounds, including 14 on the offensive side.

Tegan Atallah finished with 18 points to lead Mansfield (3-12, 0-3) and Nicole Pender added 17 points and seven rebounds.

The Golden Bears held a 28-19 leading heading into the half, but the Mountaineers came out on fire and took a 12-4 run to pull within one at the 15:01 mark.

After the lead changed hands a few times, Pender forced the first overtime with a layup at the buzzer tying the game at 64-64. With the score tied at 71-71 late in the first overtime, both teams had chances. Kutztown missed a 3-pointer and Mansfield never got a shot off before the buzzer sounded.

Kutztown returns home to face Shippensburg Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. for a PSAC East showdown.