Lady Texans hang on to defeat South Mountain in Overtime

January 2, 2011

PHOENIX, Ariz. - Raely Parada scored a team high 20 points, including two free throws that sent the game into overtime, while Lauren McKinney added 15 and Kelsey Canavan recorded yet another double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds to lead South Plains College to a 65-61 overtime victory over South Mountain Community College Sunday afternoon.

After taking a seven point lead into the locker room, 29-22, the Lady Texans returned to the court and quickly extended their lead to 13. South Mountain proceeded to answer by scoring 13 unanswered points to force the first tie of the game with just over 13 minutes remaining, 39-39.

The two teams then fought back and forth between three more ties and with 6 minutes and 25 seconds remaining South Mountain took their first lead of the game after two made free throws and would lead by as many as five points, 56-51.

After struggling at the free throw line for most of the game, the Lady Texans heated up at the charity stripe in the final minutes. With 2:11 to go, Parada nailed two to bring SPC to within a point.

Lia Kioa, the scoring leader for South Mountain, then nailed a big three pointer to make it a two possession ball game. Two free throws by Lauren McKinney pulled the Lady Texans to within a bucket and then with only four seconds left on the clock Parada was fouled as she drove into the paint. Parada nailed both free throws to send the game into overtime with the score 58-58.

The Lady Texans were too much for South Mountain in overtime, outscoring their opponent 7-3 in the extra period to improve to 8-3 on the season.

South Plains College will next play Scottsdale Community College Monday, January 3^rd at 1 p.m. MST (2 PM CST).