Raleigh, N.C. - Behind a career-high 20 points from sophomore Jordan Cager, the Battling Bishop women's basketball team picked up an 87-77 overtime win at William Peace University on Monday night in the USA South opener for both squads. After fighting to a 70-70 tie in regulation, Wesleyan caught fire in the extra frame, knocking down 5-of-7 shots from the floor and 6-of-8 attempts at the charity stripe to pull away.
The Pacers (1-3) opened up a 25-11 advantage midway the first half only to see Wesleyan put together a 21-9 run to pull to within two, 34-32, with just over two minutes left in the period. Peace answered by scoring seven of the final eight points in the half to take a 41-33 lead into the break.
Foul trouble was the story in the second half as Bishop head coach Artina Trader was forced to keep leading scorer Kenyata Harris on the sideline with three fouls at the start of the period. Harris, who scored 16 of her team-high 23 points in the first half, proceeded to draw a quick fourth upon entering the game around the 11-minute mark. Cager, however, picked up the slack by netting 13 second-half points to keep her team within striking distance before she fouled out with 1:19 to go.
The foul saw WPU knock down 1-of-2 attempts to take a 68-66 lead. Enter Harris, who knotted the score for the 10th time with a driving lay-up with 50 ticks left. The Pacers proceeded to knock down a free throw on each of their next possessions to again go up two, 70-68, with 20 seconds remaining. Harris again played hero for the Bishops, draining the game-tying basket from the top of the key to force OT.
In the extra frame, freshman Synquis Strothers gave NCWC the early advantage with a pair of free throws, but the Pacers answered with a deep trey to go up one. After made free throws by senior Alijah Brown and Harris put the Bishops back on top, sophomore Alexis Fitzgerald drained a huge three to push Wesleyan ahead 77-73 with 3:13 to go, and the Bishops did not look back en route to the 10-point win.
Overall, the game featured 85 fouls and 124 free throws, which included a program-record 58 attempts by the Bishops. The two teams also fought through 12 ties and 14 lead changes on the night.
In addition to Harris and Cager's solid performances, NeTaih Davis, KeChae Parker and Fitzgerald chipped in nine points apiece. Parker led the rebounding effort with 12 boards, helping NCWC to a 74-67 advantage on the glass.
WPU was led by Derrica Jones' double-double of 24 points and 17 rebounds.
The Bishops (3-2) travel to non-conference foe Virginia Wesleyan on Wednesday night. The game is slated for a 6:00pm tip-off in Virginia Beach.