Box Score
AURORA, Ill. – It took the Edgewood College women's basketball team almost 30 minutes of playing time to erase an early deficit, but once the Eagles grabbed the lead in overtime, they wouldn't let it go. The Eagles rallied at the end of regulation and then made 12 of 13 free throws in overtime for a wild 89-86 victory over Aurora University.
With 3:25 left, Megan Scheele gave the Eagles their first lead of the game 65-63 by making a desperation three-pointer as the shot clock expired . The two teams then traded the lead seven times in the final three minutes. Freshman Susan Paskey hit one of two free throws with 12 seconds remaining to tie the game at 73 and the Eagles survived a final shot by Brianna Leland to reach overtime.
In the overtime period, Edgewood College (2-4, 2-1 NAC) scored the first seven points on a three-point play by Janelle Gosh and a pair of free throws each from Paskey and Scheele to lead 80-73. Forced to begin fouling early, the Spartans gained ground cutting the Eagles' lead to 85-83 with 32 seconds to play. However, Shae Beckwith hit four free throws down the stretch, which became all the more important when Aurora's Mara Spagnoli hit a three-pointer for the final 89-86 margin.
The first 10 minutes gave no indication that this would be a winning afternoon for the Eagles. Aurora University (3-4, 1-1 NAC) roared out to a 28-13 lead in the first 10 minutes of the game, before seemingly halting their own momentum with a timeout. Following the stoppage, the Eagles went on a 13-0 run to trim the Spartans' lead to two. However, the Spartans would regain their form and take a 42-33 lead into the locker room. The Spartans then held off the Eagles until Scheele's improbable three-pointer gave them their first lead.
Scheele led four Eagles in double figures, scoring 25 points on 10-for-14 shooting and grabbing 10 rebounds. Freshman Brianna Droessler recorded a season-high in points with 16. Gosh and Beckwith scored 13 points each with all of Beckwith's points coming at the free throw line (13-for-14). Edgewood College certainly won the game at the free throw line outscoring the Spartans by nine 33-24 and shooting 84.6 percent. With only eight players dressed due to injury and two players fouling out, the Eagles finished the game with just six eligible players.
Aurora University was led by Jessica Mason and Kim Voiles who each had a double-double. Mason had 21 points and 11 rebounds, while Voiles had 16 points and 12 boards.
There will be no rest for the Eagles as they play their third straight road game on Monday night at Maranatha Baptist. The game against the Crusaders tips at 7:00 p.m. in Watertown.
