Thrilling Double Overtime Battle
COLUMBIA, S.C. - Columbia College left all their effort on the floor last night in a thrilling double overtime conference game against Southern Wesleyan University. The Fighting Koalas got out to an early 5-1 lead on the Warriors and seemed to have control of the tempo. Columbia College struggled in the first half from the free throw line shooting 5 of 16 and trailed 26-33 at the break.
An exciting second half battle saw Columbia College continue to edge their way back into the game led by veterans Emmie Bland, Krystal Morrissette, and LaPorsha Williams. Bland was aggressive offensively and finished with 21 points on 8 of 15 shooting and 5 of 8 from the free throw line. Morrissette, who got into early foul trouble in the first half, gave the Koalas momentum and ended the game with another double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Williams, solid offensively, added 20 points on 6 of 16, and 4 of 11 from behind the arc to trim the Warriors lead. Newcomer Shonta McNeal made an impressive 3-point play with 27 seconds left in the second half to push it to overtime tied 61-61.
The first overtime proved difficult offensively for both teams as fatigue set in. Columbia College continued to miss important free throws but Williams took control with a minute left in the first overtime and made a 3 pointer to put the Fighting Koalas up 69-67. Southern Wesleyan’s Kiasiah Ham made a field goal to tie the game at 69-69 to send it into a second overtime.
At the start of the second overtime, Columbia College quickly gained possession and senior Kiara Fefie made a quick field goal to put the Fighting Koalas up to an early lead. Fefie, led the team with 16 assists in and exhausting effort. Fefie was the only player in the game to play every minute of regulation and the two overtimes. The Fighting Koalas, hungry for their first conference win, couldn’t hold on as SWU pulled away shooting 5 of 8 from the free throw line in the second overtime for the 85-82 victory.
Columbia College faces Emmanuel College this Saturday, January 22nd @ 2:00 p.m. in the Goldbold Center.
