Women's Basketball Slides Past Methodist In Double Overtime, 86-84

FAYETTEVILLE, NC - Christopher Newport's women's basketball team upended Methodist in double overtime, 86-84, Saturday afternoon.

The Lady Captains played and won their first double overtime game since CNU defeated Penn. State-Behrend 80-73 back on December 6, 1996.

CNU lead by as many as 18 points in the first half, 45-27, with 1:40 to play. The Lady Captains took a 46-32 lead into the locker room at halftime.

In the second half, Methodist dominated, finishing 12-of-24 from the field and 12-of-17 (71%) from the free throw line. The Monarchs defense also stepped up, limiting the Lady Captains to just 9-of-28 (32%) shooting. CNU was also just 4-of-9 (44%) from the free throw line.

CNU led by five, 68-63 with 2:48 to play in regulation. The Monarchs quickly cut the lead to one, 68-67, on two Zan Messer free throws with 1:20 remaining. The Lady Captains had three opportunities on their next possession to increase their lead, but missed on all of them. Both teams exchanged turnovers and Messer was fouled with four seconds left and went to the line for a chance to give her team the win, but she made only one of two.

CNU went up by as many as five in the first overtime session, 75-70 with 3:06 to play. Methodist then scored the next five points to tie the game with 1:30 left. The Lady Captains led by two, 77-75, with 33 seconds left until Messer hit a lay-up with seven seconds to go to tie the score once again. After a CNU turnover and a Methodist timeout, Courtney Bissette's three-pointer at the buzzer was off, forcing a second overtime.

In the second extra session, the Monarchs sprinted out to a three point lead, 84-81, with 1:57 left to play. The Lady Captains countered with four straight points to take an 84-83 lead with 39 seconds to go on Candace Bryant's bucket. She was fouled in the process and missed the free throw attempt which was rebounded by Nikki Rowland. Rowland was fouled as well and made the first, but missed the second. Methodist missed two shots in the final four seconds to force a third overtime.

The game featured eight ties and 14 lead changes.

Stacy Williams led the Monarchs with 27 points and eight rebounds. Kristen Whitehurst added 13 points, Messer finished with 11, Antoinett Holiday had 10 points and 10 rebounds and Ashley Harris contributed 10 points.

Alicia Bessey paced Christopher Newport with 23 points on 10-of-19 shooting. Samantha Davis had 18, Rowland finished with 16 and Bryant added 15 points and 14 rebounds.

CNU improves to 11-6 overall and 5-1 in conference play. The Monarchs fall to 9-7 overall and 3-3 in the USA South.

The Lady Captains return to action Sunday as they travel to Greensboro with tip set for 2 pm.