The Lipscomb Lady Bisons wrapped up a long season with an overtime victory over Kennesaw State on Tuesday evening, thanks to a game winning three-point shot in overtime by junior Carleigh Short.
“The basketball gods smiled on us for once this season,” head coach Greg Brown said.
The game went into overtime with both teams tied 60-60 after a neck-and-neck match that Lipscomb led going into the fourth quarter. Overtime was back and forth with junior Lauren Rau making the basket to tie it up 69-69 in the final minute.
There was less than five seconds on the clock when Short charged down court and let the ball fly to score the game winner, making the final score 72-69.
It’s not often that a game is decided by a single shot, but Short said these scenarios are the kind the team has practiced for.
“Honestly any one of us could have hit that shot,” Short said. “It’s something we practice, and I would have trusted it in the hands of anybody.”
“We practice some of those,” Brown added. “She just did what she’s been doing. We talked about just get it and go because they’re telling them don’t foul.”
Short said a lot went through her mind in those last five seconds of the game.
“What went through my head first was ‘Oh, there’s five seconds left, and coach is saying ‘Go!’’” Short said.
But Short wasn’t the only member of the Lady Bisons to contribute to their victory, although she was the second leading scorer for her team with a total of 17 points.
No. 22 Taylor Clark also had a huge night with 18 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, leading her team in all three metrics.
Redshirt sophomore Emily Kmec left her mark on the game as well, putting up 15 points and seven rebounds.
“We decided to come together and end the season well,” Short said. “We all stayed together as a family. It was a good fight.”
Tuesday’s performance stands out even more due to the fact the Lady Bisons have had such a rough season. They ended with 4-25 record for the year, losing to Kennesaw State 67-36 in their previous matchup.
“It’s wild how well we played at times versus how poorly we’ve played,” Brown said. “They’ve been one extreme to the other. If I had the answer, I’d have fixed it quicker.”
Going into the next season the Bisons look to add three new freshmen to the roster and will lose no seniors.
“It’s good to end that way,” Brown said, adding, “and get a little bit of momentum and to carry it forward.”
Photo courtesy of Lipscomb Athletics