Clarksville, Ark.-Sabrina Goddard's inside bucket at the buzzer lifted the University of the Ozarks to a thrilling 65-63 win over Howard Payne University in Monday night's American Southwest Conference nail-bitter in Clarksville.
Goddard scored 34 points, including 22 in the second half, but none was bigger than her final shot to keep the Lady Eagles (6-0, 2-0 ASC) perfect on the year. With the score tied, Ozarks forced Howard Payne (2-2, 0-2 ASC) to turn the ball over with 11 ticks on the clock, allowing them to call a timeout to set up their final play. Goddard received the ball at the free throw line and then made her way to the baseline where she banked in the game-winner. It was a monumental comeback for the Lady Eagles against a perennial powerhouse. Trailing 63-57 with less than three minutes remaining, Goddard scored eight straight points for Ozarks. Howard Payne had a chance to put the game away late, but the Yellow Jackets committed three turnovers in the last minute to squander their advantage.
Howard Payne held a 38-35 lead at the half. Each team hit six three-pointers in the first half, and four different players made three’s for Ozarks, including April Young and Chelsea Glasscock, who each had two. With Ozarks hitting from long range, Goddard took care of the inside scoring with 12 first half points.
Ozarks largest lead in the second half was three points, which came at two different times around the midway point. The first came at the 12:50 mark when Young nailed a three-pointer. The other came just two minutes later on another Young basket. Howard Payne eventually took a 59-55 lead with 4:21 remaining. A jumper at the 3:05 mark increased their advantage to 63-57, but that would be the final field goal for Howard Payne as the Lady Eagles went on a 7-0 run. Goddard ended the game scoring the final 14 points for Ozarks.
Ozarks was out rebounded 41-29 in the contest, but committed only 10 turnovers and sent the Yellow Jackets to the free throw line just seven times.
Young finished with 14 points and four three-pointers. Ally Goddard had a team-high eight assists.
Ozarks will travel to Abilene, Texas, to face McMurry University December 2 and Hardin-Simmons University December 4.
Topics: Athletics