Video HighlightsKUTZTOWN, Pa. – The Golden Bears had two chances to win in the final 20 seconds of regulation in Wednesday night's pivotal battle against Lock Haven University. Unfortunately for the Kutztown University women's basketball team, its minor lapse of execution let those opportunities slip away as the visiting Bald Eagles went on to take control of overtime in its 80-67 win over Kutztown.
Wednesday night's game at Keystone Arena was for the current rank of sixth place in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division. Kutztown (8-12, 5-11 PSAC East) put together a 13-point win earlier this season at Lock Haven, 71-58, but the Bald Eagles (9-12, 6-11) were poised to avenge their early loss. Still with six games to play in the division, Lock Haven leads Kutztown by a half-game for the sixth and final playoff spot in the East.
13 lead changes told the story of much of Wednesday night, but a 19-3 Lock Haven run late in the third quarter built it a then-game-high, 10-point lead with 9:41 to play. It not only connected on 7-of-9 shots during the run, but forced Kutztown into a 1-for-11 dry spell in the 6:25 spurt.
Kutztown's never-say-die attitude allowed it to respond with a 17-6 run to regain a 1-point lead, 55-54, with 2:07 to play. Fast-forward more than a minute later; the teams are locked in their eighth tie of the game at 57-all with 51 seconds left and KU with possession.
Senior captain
Natalya Lee (Feasterville, Pa./Rancocas Valley Regional) was fouled, knocked down the first of two free throws, and despite missing her second, grabbed her own rebound to prolong Kutztown's possession. KU called timeout with a 58-57 lead and the ball with 22 seconds to play, but needed to attempt a shot due to a low shot clock.
When running a play for Lee, KU was called for an illegal screen with 17 seconds left, giving Lock Haven a chance to tie or win the game. Lock Haven's Lysa Mealing, who finished with 20 points and 25 rebounds, suffered at the free throw line with an 8-for-19 outing. She was fouled underneath with six seconds left and split her free throws to tie the game 58-all, forcing KU to call timeout and advance the ball into the frontcourt.
Once again, a play was call for Lee to receive the inbound pass and run the offense, but KU's ensuing shot attempt was not of quality. It nearly turned the ball over again as it was forced to enter its second overtime game of the season.
Kutztown scored the first two points of overtime, but from there, it was all Lock Haven. The visitors closed the game on a 22-7 run, scoring 24 points in the five-minute overtime period. Lock Haven made all four of its overtime field goal attempts, sank 14-of-20 free throws, and dug in defensively to force KU into a 1-for-10 shooting effort in overtime.
Junior guard
Jenna Altomare (Pennsylvania Furnace, Pa./State College Area) led the Maroon and Gold with 19 points. Lee also scored above her average with 17 points to go along with seven rebounds and six assists.
Kelsey Watson (Collegeville, Pa./Methacton) notched a double-double with 14 points and a career-high 16 rebounds as the trio accounted for 50 of the team's 67 points.
Things do not get easier for the Golden Bears, who host first-place Shippensburg University (17-4, 13-4) on Saturday, Feb. 6 at 1 p.m. KU fell on the road at Shippensburg earlier this year, 65-52.
