ROCKFORD, Ill. – Marian University women’s basketball (3-10, 1-6 NACC) fell in overtime at Rockford by a 69-67 final.
Rockford was able to get out to a fast start on the Sabres opening with a 12-4 lead. Marian was able to battle back, however, and closed out the quarter with an 8-1 run to cut their deficit down to one heading into the second quarter. Marian used this momentum to take a 25-17 advantage with a 13-4 spurt. The Regents were able to cut their deficit down to as little as four but another strong finish to the quarter gave the Sabres a 33-25 lead heading into the break.
Marian was able to build their lead out to 10 to open the third quarter and held a 44-35 advantage with 5:18 left in the quarter. Rockford then took over for the final part of the third quarter using a 13-4 run to go ahead 48-45 headed into the fourth.
The Sabres quickly retook the lead to open the fourth quarter and held a slim lead until 48 seconds remained when Rockford tied the game at 59-59. Each team would have a chance to break the tie in regulation but neither team found the bottom of the net with Marian missing a last-second opportunity.
Both offenses struggled to open the extra period with the game staying tied at 62-62 with just 2:32 left. The Regents then scored five unanswered points which proved to be the difference. Junior Claire Levendoski cut the lead down to two with a three-pointer with 25 seconds left, but another last-second shot from Marian would miss leading to the 69-67 final.
Junior Brianna Martin paced the offense with a game-high 23 points, while senior Paris Harris had a double-double for the second time in the last three games with 10 points and rebounds. Levendoski hit four three-pointers to chip in 14 points, and freshman McKayla Goebel nearly had a double-double off the bench with nine points and eight boards, six of which were on the offensive end.
Marian continues their road trip at Concordia Chicago at 2 p.m. Saturday, January 15.
