ATHENS, W.Va- The Concord University women's basketball team picked up its first Mountain East Conference win and started the year 2017 off with a 72-69 win over Shepherd at the Carter Center.
Concord improves to 2-7 (1-4 MEC) on the season, while Shepherd falls to 4-9 (1-4 MEC).
Clutch free throws from senior guard
Alexis Lowery and junior guard
Danielle Catron helped Concord withstand a late rally from Shepherd to defeat the Rams in another close game between the two teams.
In a tie game with just 30 seconds left, Lowery was fouled hard when driving into the paint to earn a pair of free throws. Lowery sank the ensuing two shots to help Concord gain a two-point lead.
After Shepherd made one of two from the line on its next possession, Catron was fouled and made two more free throws to force Shepherd to try a deep three to tie with just one second left.
A low-scoring first quarter, 12-7, in favor of the Mountain Lions, was blown open in the second quarter when the Mountain Lions scored seven of the first nine points to help gain a nine-point lead in the first two minutes of the second quarter.
Concord continued to add to its lead, taking a 10-point lead at 23-13 after junior guard
Lindsey Overbey drained a jump shot. After Shepherd closed to within four, the Mountain Lions restored a nine-point lead after Catron made a jump shot to close the half.
A slow start for CU in the second half saw SU close to within one, 36-35, before the Mountain Lions went on a 14-4 run to grab its biggest lead of the night at 50-39.
After taking an 11-point lead into the fourth quarter, an 18-9 run by the Rams closed the gap to two, 64-62, with 3:10 remaining. A steal by Lowery made the score 68-64 with 1:18 remaining.
Back-to-back buckets from SU tied the game at 68 before Lowery and Catron calmly made free throws to seal the game for Concord.
Catron finished with 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting while Lowery finished with 14 points. Junior center
Alley Odell also scored in double figures, adding 10 points. Overbey scored nine points while grabbing a game-high eight rebounds.
Concord returns to action on Thursday with an MEC clash against Fairmont State at 5:30 p.m.
