Lady Shockers lose in overtime

The women’s basketball team lost their final preseason game Friday night against Saint Joseph’s University 81-73 in overtime.

The Shockers held the lead after the first 20 minutes, but Saint Joseph made a comeback in the second half to tie the game at the end of regulation.

Coach Jody Adams said the team lost the game because of the free throws they missed and the lack of rebounding late in the game.

The Shockers missed vital free throws as the game neared its end, landing just 1-10 shots in a minute and 15 seconds of play.

“You make half of those and it’s a different story. Bottom line,” Adams said.

Alex Harden led the scoring in the game, going 4-11 with 15 points and nine rebounds.

The women started out strong with an early 13-3 run beginning with a layup by Jamillah Bonner off of a steal. Moriah Dapprich capped the run with a couple of free throws.

The Hawks fought back to tie the game at 16 with just under eight minutes left in the half.

A jump shot by Valerierose Agnello sparked a 9-2 run that would last into the half to give WSU a 30-23 lead.

Agnello went 3-6 with three rebounds in the matchup.

She said the team needs to work on defensive rebounding to keep losses like this from happening in the future.

“We can’t give them second chances,” Agnello said.

A pair of baskets by Michelle Price and a three-point shot by Bonner put the Shockers up by seven early in the second half. A steal and layup by Kelsey Jacobs increased the lead to ten.

A late 6-0 run by the Hawks ending with a layup by Ciara Andrews with two seconds left in regulation evened the score at 69-69.

Saint Joseph’s made a 12-4 run in overtime to win the game.

Adams said the women weren’t ready to play a team like Saint Joseph’s.

“Our bench is not quite ready for this level and that caliber of a team,” she said.

Harden said the Hawks attack caused turnovers and problems for WSU, but the team still should have won.

“At the end of the day, we should have won it in regulation,” Harden said. “We had a 15 point lead with eight minutes to go.”

The women’s next game is Wednesday night against Kansas State in Manhattan.