Concord Takes Command in Overtime, Defeats Urbana 96-87

ATHENS, W.Va. – The Concord University women's basketball team needed overtime to defeat Urbana, 96-87, Monday afternoon in Mountain East Conference action at the Carter Center.

CU (4-1, 2-0 MEC) jumped out the gates fast as it led by as much as 16 points, 26-10, in the first quarter after a layup by sophomore forward Tamra Scott. The Mountain Lions settled for a 28-14 advantage after 10 minutes as they shot 58.8 percent (10-for-17) from the floor in the opening quarter.

The commanding lead would be whittled away slowly by Urbana (0-3, 0-2 MEC) in the second quarter as it worked the deficit down to 41-36 at halftime. The Blue Knights beat the halftime buzzer to make it a two-possession at the intermission.

Over a six-minute span of the third quarter, Concord went on an 18-8 run to lead 59-44 with 3:29 left in the contest. Senior forward Courtney White keyed the run as she scored eight of her 10 points during the stretch. UU hit a jump shot in the late stages of the third quarter to close within eight, but freshman guard Gracie Robinson nailed a jumper right before the third quarter ended to give the Mountain Lions a 65-55 advantage.

Urbana's Sylvia Hudson scored 13 of her 27 points in the fourth quarter to rally the Blue Knights, tying the game three times in the final period. However, CU fended off the comeback enough to force overtime as UU tied the game at 83-83 with 51 seconds remaining in regulation. Both teams had final looks at the basket, but were unable to hit a decisive shot in the fourth quarter.

The Mountain Lions scored the first 10 points of the overtime segment to put some space between them and UU. Junior forward Madison May scored or assisted on the first six points before sophomore forward Riley Fitzwater tallied the next two buckets.

Concord was led by May who finished with 27 points on 10-for-17 shooting while also pulling down seven rebounds. Senior guard Andreanna Pool tallied her second 20-point game of the season by scoring 21 points.

Fitzwater and White each went for 10 points with Fitzwater adding 10 rebounds and four blocks. The duo combined to go 10-for-10 from the field in the game.  

For the game, CU shot 54.7 percent (35-for-64) while holding Urbana to 42.1 percent (32-for-76).

The Mountain Lions welcome Charleston to the Carter Center 5:30 p.m. November 28.