(Editor’s note: Carroll College athletics release)
CHANDLER, Ariz. — Carroll College senior forward Hannah Dean scored the only field goal of overtime and then stole the ball with two seconds left to cap off a rally the No. 8 Saints for a 53-52 win over the University of Science and Arts on Wednesday at the Phoenix Frontier Classic.
“The’re as physical and as athletic as we’ve played all year, and that includes Division-I games,” Saints coach Rachelle Sayers said. “I think a lot of our missed opportunities and missed layups, missed post moves were attributed to how physical they play. I’m just really, really proud of the kids.”
The Saints (9-2) scrapped with the Drovers throughout the contest. Trailing by 10 with about 3 minutes left, the Saints deployed their full-court pressure and went on a wild run. The Saints got a defensive rebound, and Jaidyn Lyman skipped a pass over to Brittney Johnson. Johnson skipped the ball back over to Dani Wagner, who splashed the triple to knot the game at 48 with one minute left.
The run swelled to 12-0 before the Drovers (4-6) answered on a Jaye Cage layup.
Each side had several chances to close the game out in regulation, but could not add to their point total.
In overtime, Johnson was mauled and she connected on one-of-two free throws to give the Saints a 51-50 lead with 3:01 left.
Reyna Ammons gave the Drovers a one-point advantage when she knocked down two free throws.
The three combined free throws would be the only points scored in overtime until Dean drove to the basket and connected.
Dean lead all scorers with 17 points.
Ammons led the Drovers with 14 points.
Drovers leading scorer Vivan Holcomb fouled out with six minutes left in the game, relegating her eight points and game-high 14 rebounds to the bench. She played only 19 minutes.
It gave the Saints their second win in three days and the first of their trip to Phoenix.
Carroll takes on Menlo College on Thursday at noon.
