Hawks Take Down Belhaven in Double Overtime Thriller

Montgomery, Alabama – The Hawks (7-15 overall, 6-8 in the CCS) defeated #3, Belhaven University (14-7 overall, 8-5 in the CCS) 79-72 in double overtime to take down another top ranked team.

The Hawks found themselves down early in the first quarter after the Blazers 11-2 run to take control. Freshman Erica Rodriguez stopped that run as she knocked down back-to-back triples to bring the Hawks some momentum (11-8). A Belhaven layup led to another three by Rodriguez that brought the Hawks within two (13-11). In the final three minutes of the first quarter both teams hit a scoring drought and were unable to add points to the board. An and one in the first minute and a half of the second quarter by Kinstin Davis left the Hawks down by one as Davis converted the free-throw (15-14). Deshauna Foote took the lead for the Hawks the next possession from the free-throw line, making two (16-15). Three free-throws and a layup from the Blazers changed the lead again at 20-18 and a 10-4 run by Belhaven closed out the half with a score of 32-26.

Traded baskets dominated the first five minutes of the 3^rd quarter when AB David began her scoring for the Hawks. Two threes from the Blazers had the Hawks down 13 (47-34) with less than five minutes to go in the third and Huntingdon was unable to cut the deficit any closer heading into the fourth quarter (51-38). A scoreless two minutes was ended by a free-throw from the Blazers as they took their largest lead of the night at 14. Alina Shoemake's 6-point scoring reign sparked the Hawks as she brought the game within 10 and Briana McGruder followed bringing it within eight (54-46). McGruder came alive in the second half recording her 3^rd career double-double to take Huntingdon on a 14-0 run in the final four minutes of the fourth quarter that gave them the lead with 23 seconds left in regulation (60-58). Belhaven snagged a key rebound with 12 seconds left and scored the layup to tie the game. With eight seconds left the Hawks had one last chance with the ball as they turned it over giving Belhaven the momentum. The Blazers were unable to handle the pressure as they also turned it over and Shoemake took a deep three with two seconds left to try and secure the win in regulation, but the shot fell just short, and the Hawks headed to overtime for the second time this season (60-60).

In the first overtime Huntingdon took the first lead with a quick 4-0 run that Belhaven was able to answer with back-to-back threes (68-66). Up by two with 1:30 left, Belhaven fouled AB Davis who converted a free-throw for the Hawks. Now with 16 seconds Huntingdon, down by one, was forced to foul and send the Blazers to the free-throw line, where both teams were shooting under 60%. Belhaven was only able to hit one of the two and Huntingdon called a quick timeout to advance the ball. A quick play fell through as freshman Deshauna Foote found herself with the ball with three second to go. Foote drove to the basket and made a fading layup to tie the game and send it to the second overtime (69-69). A quick layup from the Hawks and the fourth made three of the night for Rodriguez gave the Hawks the five-point advantage to control the game (74-69). Forcing the Blazers to foul the Hawks finalized the game with their made free-throws.

Key Game Stats:

Belhaven shot 40% from the three compared to the Hawks 23%

The Hawks were out rebounded by 12 (48-36)

Huntingdon scored 19 points of the Blazers 22 turnovers

Stat Leaders for Huntingdon:

#35 Briana McGruder – 16 Points, 13 Rebounds

#23 Alina Shoemake – 14 Points, 6 Rebounds, 4 Assists

#4 Kinstin Davis – 14 Points, 5 Rebounds, 5 Steals

The Hawks are back in action in Roland Arena on Wednesday February 15^th to take on Agnes Scott at 6:00 PM CST.