PULASKI, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee Southern women's basketball team battled hard in front of the home crowd in a thrilling 77-76 overtime win over Lindsey Wilson on Saturday.

Two Firehawks etched the scorebook with double figures in the game. Sydney Cooper led the way with 18 points. Janiyah Riley added 16 tallies.

The Blue Raiders took control early, but the Firehawks would chip away at the advantage to lead at the break 28-27. LWC would hold a bucket advantage in the third holding a slim one-point lead. The Firehawks would hustle to beat the Blue Raiders but would find themselves down by three with 16 seconds left. UTS would appear to hit the game-tying three from the corner, but the shooter would be ruled out of bounds.

Just when it looked like LWC would be poised to steal an MSC win, a crucial turnover and a foul would place Aaryn Grace Lester on the charity stripe with less than a second remaining. Lester would cash in all three attempts to force five more minutes. The Firehawks and Blue Raiders would trade baskets through the extra period. However once again UTS would find themselves down by one with under 30 seconds to play. LWC would once again turnover the ball as Rachael Baker would come up with the biggest steal and assist of the game. Baker would find Cooper streaking to the basket for the game-winning layup.

UTS would shoot 26 of 72 for 36% from the field. There would be 20 lead changes and 12 ties.

NEXT UP

The Firehawks will travel to Lebanon, Tenn. for an MSC dance-off with Cumberland on Tuesday, November 22^th. Tip-off is slated for 5:30 p.m.

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