It took two overtime periods, but the Centre College women's basketball team earned a 76-70 non-conference win over Spalding University Tuesday, Dec. 11 in Louisville, Ky.
The Colonels, playing their first game in over a week because of finals, improve to 3-5 overall on the season, while the Golden Eagles fall to 2-3.
Midway through the first half, Centre looked to be on its way to a comfortable win. The Colonels led 22-8 at the 10:08 mark. Spalding got within eight with just under seven minutes to play, but Centre pushed the lead to 14 at 36-22 at the intermission.
Junior forward Paige Baechle (Gallatin, Tenn.) scored the first two points of the second half, but the Golden Eagles scored the next nine points to cut the halftime lead in half.
A pair of Alnna Guy (Chagrin Falls, Ohio) free throws at the 11:40 mark gave the Colonels an 11-point lead (47-36), but Spalding went on a 17-5 run to take its first lead (53-52) since the 18:08 mark in the first half when they led 1-0.
Senior guard Bridget Winstead (Franklin, Tenn.) made a lay-up with 3:23 left to put Centre back in front 54-53, but Kerstin Hayes was fouled with 1:03 left. Hayes made the first free throw to tie the game, but missed the second.
Centre did not get another shot attempt in regulation, but did have a turnover and a foul that sent Hayes to the free throw line with a chance to win the game. Hayes missed both shots and the game went to overtime.
Baechle took over in extra period for the Colonels. The junior forward scored all nine of the Colonels' points in the first overtime, including making a pair of free throws with five seconds on the clock to send the game to a second overtime.
She then scored six points in the final period, while Guy made five free throws and a jumper to seal the six-point victory.
Baechle finished with a game-high 27 points and 15 rebounds to post her fourth double-double of the season. She also had two steals, two blocks and an assist in 44 minutes of action.
Senior Chelsea Benham added 14 points and seven rebounds. Guy finished with 13 points, five rebounds and five assists off the bench, and freshman Mary Winsteadscored a season-high 11 points, also off the bench.
Hayes led Spalding with 26 points, four assists and two steals. Kelly Harrod notched a double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds in the defeat.
Centre will return to action Thursday, Dec. 13 with another non-conference road contest. The Colonels will play Asbury College at 7 p.m. in Wilmore, Ky.