PULASKI, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee Southern women's basketball got back in the win column at the "CAC" outlasting Wilberforce 70-67 in overtime on Thursday.

Aaryn Grace Lester and Mary Mackie led the Firehawks with 17 points each. Syndey Cooper and Rachael Baker each added 13 points. Cooper would record a double-double in the win collecting 12 boards.

Both teams traded the lead during the opening period as the Firehawks would trail 16-13. The Bulldogs would come out hot to begin the second stanza, piecing together a 12-0 run. UTS would trail by 18 before cutting the deficit to 14 at the break.

The Firehawks continued to chip away at the WU lead and only trailed 43-40 with under three minutes left in the third quarter. Beginning the final quarter down by four, UTS would take their first lead since the first quarter on a layup by Cooper with five and a half minutes in regulation. The Firehawks would have a chance with one second left. Lester would be fouled and only connect on one of the two free throws.

UTS would outscore the Bulldogs 11-8 in the extra period to deny Wilberforce their first MSC win of the year.

UTS would shoot 24 of 57 for 42% from the field. There would be eight lead changes and seven ties.

NEXT UP

The Firehawks will host #1 Thomas More on Saturday, January 14th. Tip-off is slated for 1 p.m.

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