Jefferson City, TN - The Lincoln Memorial Lady Splitters were back on the road Wednesday evening against the Carson-Newman Lady Eagles. The two teams met in early January, requiring two extra periods to determine a winner. A hard-fought double overtime game saw Lincoln Memorial take the first game of the home-and-home series, 82-78. Lincoln Memorial entered the contest with a 12-5 record, including a 7-4 mark in conference play. Carson-Newman entered with an overall record of 14-5 with an 8-3 mark in SAC play.
Lincoln Memorial was marred by seven turnovers on the opening period, but still managed to outscore Carson-Newman 13-12 in the opening frame. With Carson-Newman leading 8-0 to start the game,
Matty Tanner stepped in for Lincoln Memorial, scoring five straight points to keep the Lady Splitters in the opening period. The whistles were abundant in the second period. After going the whole first period without a foul, the Lady Splitters were called for 10 fouls in the second period, allowing the Lady Eagles some easy points from the charity stripe. Carson-Newman outscored Lincoln Memorial 22-18 to take a 35-30 lead into the halftime intermission.
The roles seemed to reverse to start the third period. Lincoln Memorial began the second half on a 4-0 run, drawing four fouls against the Lady Eagles in the first two minutes of the third, drawing back to within one point, 35-34. As play progressed in the third, the Lady Splitters regained the lead at 38-37, however, it would be short lived as the Lady Eagles regained the lead moments later, 40-38. From there, Carson-Newman went on a 7-3 run to extend its lead to 47-41. Lincoln Memorial responded with a 6-0 run to tie the game at 47-47 with less than a minute remaining in the third period. The Lady Splitters took the lead on a pair of free throws, 49-47, before the lead switched hands again as the Lady Eagles connected on a layup and free throw to take a 50-49 lead as the shot clock was turned off in the final seconds of the third quarter. With time winding down, the ball found its way into
Lauren Flowers' hands, and she buried a three pointer at the third quarter buzzed to give Lincoln Memorial a 52-50 lead heading into the final frame.
The Lady Eagles started the fourth period on an 8-0 run to take a 58-54 lead by the first stoppage of the final period. Moments later, leading 60-55, Carson-Newman connected on a three pointer to take a 63-55 lead. Lincoln Memorial failed to lay over. As the Lady Eagles' lead swelled to nine points, the Lady Splitters' defense began to tighten up, forcing two turnovers. Lincoln Memorial made the most of the turnovers, scoring on each, drawing back to within one possession, 65-62 with less than two minutes remaining. An offensive rebound put-back and one-of-two free throws saw Carson-Newman extend its lead to 68-62 with less than a minute remaining.
Alexa Smiddy drove the lane and connected on a fluid reverse layup to cut back to within four, 68-64 with 38.8 seconds remaining. However, Lincoln Memorial would fail to score again, while the Lady Eagles added four more points to secure a 72-64 victory, splitting the regular season series with Carson-Neman, 1-1.
The game featured 14 lead changes. Carson-Newman was able to secure the victory, thanks to its success on the glass, dominating the boards, 48-30.
Lincoln Memorial was led in scoring by
Alexa Smiddy, who played a well-rounded game with 18 points, four rebounds and two assists. She also made the most of her free throw attempts, connecting on 9-of-10 attempts for the game. She was followed by
Lauren Flowers with 15 points and five rebounds.
Matty Tanner added 11 points, scoring Lincoln Memorial's first five points off the bench in less than two minutes, connecting on 3-of-5 attempts from deep for the game. Geo Rios added 10 points, six assists, and three rebounds in another well-rounded effort.
Jordan Maney added 10 points and four rebounds to round out scoring for the Lady Splitters.
With the loss, Lincoln Memorial moved to 12-6 on the season with a 7-5 mark in SAC play. The Lady Splitters will get a week of practice and rest before squaring off against Emory & Henry in Harrogate on Feb. 7.
