Mount Union Edges Women’s Basketball in overtime

Mount Union Edges Women’s Basketball in overtime

Senior Olivia Besancon hit the game-tying jumper at the buzzer to force overtime versus Mount Union, but the Raiders edged the Muskingum women's basketball team, 58-53, at home Wednesday night.

The Basics

  • Records: Muskingum (6-16 overall, 2-13 Ohio Athletic Conference), Mount Union (12-10 overall, 9-6 Ohio Athletic Conference)
  • Location: New Concord, Ohio – Anne C. Steele Center

Pregame

  • Prior to the start of the game, Athletic Director Larry Shank and Muskingum Head Coach Beth Fox presented Olivia Besancon with a 1,000 career point game ball. Besancon became the 21st Muskingum women's basketball player to reach 1,000 career points after collecting seven at Mount Union earlier this season. She achieved the milestone in her 91st game while averaging 11.0 points per game.

 Inside the Numbers

  • Olivia Besancon poured out a team-high 20 points and three assists.
  • Caitlyn Smith contributed 10 points, three assists, and two steals.
  • Alivia Bates led the reserves with six points.
  • Stephanie Clark grabbed a team-best 12 rebounds and added four blocks.
  • The Muskies shot .310 (18-of-58) from the floor, made eight three-pointers, and went 9-for-13 (.692) at the free throw line.
  • Rachel Tinkey led the Raiders with 18 points and 14 rebounds, while Jaime Sanborn chipped in 12 points.
  • Mount Union concluded the contest shooting .323 (21-of-65) from the field and made five three-pointers.

Game Highlights

Mount Union knocked down four trey's in the first quarter to put them at a 22-12 advantage at the end of the frame. Besancon drilled back-to-back three's in the opening minutes of the second quarter to cut Mount Union's lead down to six points, 24-18. During the next three minutes, the Raiders and the Muskies both registered nine points, with Mount Union holding the 33-27 lead. The final five minutes were quite as the last point scored came at the 2:57 marker off a free throw by Mount Union's Meghan Hess. The Raiders took the 34-27 advantage at the half.

The Muskies found themselves within three points, 36-33, after starting the third quarter on a 6-2 run. After that, there would be a scoring drought as neither team would score a basket until the one-second marker when Besancon drained two free throws. The visitors still held on to the lead, 36-35, at the end of the frame. Muskingum took its first lead of the game with 8:25 remaining in the fourth quarter off a jump shot from Besancon, 37-36. The Muskies continued to hold the lead until the Raiders Rachel Tinkey made a layup with 1:33 to go, 48-47. Tinkey then went 1-for-2 at the free throw line with two seconds left. After the Muskies timeout, Besancon came out and nailed the game-tying jumper at the buzzer to force overtime. During the overtime period, Muskingum and Mount Union traded baskets and led changes, but the Raiders netted six straight points in the final minutes to seal the victory.

 Up Next

  • Muskingum returns to action on Saturday, February 10 as they host Otterbein for Senior Day. Game time is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.