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SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. –
Megan Hardiman knocked down three free throws with 5.2 seconds left in regulation to tie the game and force overtime, but an 8-0 run midway through the extra session led Shippensburg to a 74-73 win over Slippery Rock University Saturday in women's basketball action.
Free throws proved to be the difference in the game as Slippery Rock made more field goals, more 3-point field goals and posted significantly higher shooting percentages in the game. The Lady Raiders made 26-of-30 free throws after SRU was whistled for 23 fouls. Shippensburg was called for just 12 fouls with The Rock going 12-of-16 at the charity stripe.
The loss is the third overtime loss of the season for Slippery Rock, which sees its season record drop to 2-11 overall. Shippensburg rebounded from a loss Friday against California (Pa.) to improve to 9-3 overall.
Slippery Rock got career high scoring performances from two players, with
Erica Aiello posting a game-high 18 points and
Danielle Garroutte setting a career mark off the bench with 13 points. Aiello also added four assists, while Garroutte grabbed seven rebounds.
D'Asia Chambers finished with 17 points and seven rebounds and
Jazmyne Frost recorded a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds to cap the top performers for The Rock.
Slippery Rock made five more field goals on one less attempt than Shippesburg in the game, including three more 3-point field goals. SRU was 42.9 percent from the field (27-of-63), 33.3 percent from beyond the 3-point arc (7-of-21) and 75.0 percent at the free throw line (12-of-16).
In contrast, Shippensburg shot just 34.4 percent from the field (22-of-64) and 19.0 percent from long range (4-of-21), but was 86.7 percent at the free throw line (26-of-30).
The Lady Raiders relied almost entirely on their starters for scoring, with all five starters reaching double figures. Lauren Gold led the way with 17 points, while Stephanie Knauer added 16, Sarah Strybuc chipped in 12, Morgan Griffith recorded a double-double with 11 points and 15 rebounds and Caitlyn Deeter scored 10 points.
The game was back and forth from the opening whistle to the final whistle, with stretches of both teams trading baskets and other stretches of each team going on long runs.
Slippery Rock led 50-46 with 6:51 to play in regulation before Shippensburg put together an 11-0 run to take a 57-50 lead with just 2:21 to play.
The Rock rallied to cut the deficit to three points when Aiello hit a jumper with just 12 seconds left. After a turnover on Shippensburg's possession, Hardiman launched a 3-point attempt to tie the game, but was fouled with 5.2 seconds left. She hit all three free throws to tie the game at 63-63 and force overtime.
Slippery Rock closed the second half on a 13-6 run to carry momentum into the overtime session.
The Rock scored the first two points in the extra session to take a 65-63 lead, but Shippensburg answered with an 8-0 run to take a seemingly untouchable 71-65 lead with just 36 seconds left.
Slippery Rock cut the deficit to four points, 74-70, before its final possession and Chambers knocked down a contested 3-pointer at the buzzer to make it 74-73, but the officials deemed there was no foul on the play that could have sent her to the line for a chance to force a second overtime.
Saturday's game marked the final Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference mandated road crossover game for Slippery Rock, which will wrap up crossover play Wednesday when Kutztown visits Morrow Field House for a 5:30 p.m. game.