Women's Basketball Wins Overtime Thriller at Cornerstone

(Grand Rapids, MI)-- The Cleary Cougars women's basketball team avenged an earlier season loss to the Cornerstone Golden Eagles, winning an overtime thriller in Grand Rapids Wednesday evening.

Amy Jackson got things going with back to back three pointers to start the game, giving the Cougars an early 6-0 lead.  Cornerstone would come back to take the lead, and the two teams would trade baskets the rest of the quarter, but Cleary would hold a one point advantage through the first ten minutes.  Cleary would stay hot in the second quarter, thanks in large part to their defense, as they held the Golden Eagles to under 30% shooting from the floor, and built a 7-point advantage at the half.

Cornerstone would come out and tie the game in the second half, but the Cougars responded, rebuilding a 5-point lead of their own thanks to Mileisha Rodriguez and Rylee Thomas' back to back baskets.  The lead would hover at that margin the rest of the quarter, setting up an intense final quarter of play.  

Amy Jackson would hit a three to open the quarter, giving Cleary a 55-47 lead, but the Golden Eagles answered with a three of their own.  Cornerstone chipped away, and cut the deficit to one at the final media timeout.  Both teams would make defensive plays, but Cornerstone would break through to take the lead for the first time since the first quarter with 2:44 to play in the game.  Once again, Mileisha Rodriguez and Amy Jackson would hit back to back baskets to give the Cougars a 65-61 lead.  Cornerstone would storm back to tie the game, and had a chance to win in regulation, but Cleary's defense was up to the task, and free basketball was required.  

In overtime, Cleary once again built a 5-point lead, but the Golden Eagles answered and took a 77-74 advantage with 0:54 to play.  Rylee Thomas would get fouled, made a free throw, cutting the deficit to two points, and after a defensive stop on the other end, Thomas would hit the go-ahead three with 0:23 to play, giving Cleary a 78-77 lead.  Cleary's defense forced a contested shot, and Mileisha Rodrguez grabbed the rebound to secure the Cougar victory.

Cleary had two players score 24 points, with Amy Jackson going 7-12 from behind the arc and grabbing 7 rebounds, while Mileisha Rodriguez had another double-double with 11 rebounds, 6 blocks, 3 assists, and 2 steals.  Rylee Thomas was a perfect 4-4 from three point range, including the game-winner, while Taedom Stein had 7 points and 10 assists.

Cleary improves to 5-20 overall, and 5-14 in the WHAC.  The Cougars will play their first of three straight home games to finish the regular season at Gannon Gymnasium this Saturday vs. UM-Dearborn at 1:00 PM.