Lady Pioneers Win Double OT Thriller

The Alfred State women's basketball team won a thrilling double-overtime contest, 84-79, over #2 seed Iowa Wesleyan in the quarterfinals of the USCAA Divison I tournament. The Lady Pioneers advance to the semifinals to take on #3 Berea on Friday afternoon at 1 p.m.

The Lady Pioneers trailed 33-27 at the half and tied it at 38-38 before Iowa Wesleyan went on a 12-2 run to grab a 50-40 lead. In the next 12 minutes the Alfred State went on a 22-6 run to grab a 62-56 lead with 35 seconds remaining. The Tigers made a furious comeback and capped a 6-0 run in the final seconds with two foul shots with under three seconds remaining.

In the first OT, Alfred State led 73-69 with just over two minutes left but could not get on the board the rest of the way. Karla Vietinghoff hit a three-pointer with just over 30 seconds remaining to tie it at 73-73. The Pioneers turned the ball over in their final possession and Haley Witchella (Oxford) blocked a shot at the buzzer to send the contest into double OT.

In the second OT, Alfred State hit eight of eight foul shots in the final three minutes to break a 76-76 tie and secure the victory. The Lady Pioneers had only one field goal, a three pointer by Briana Meehan (Whitesville) but outscored IWC 11-6.

Witchella had a monster day finishing with 28 points (10 for 22) and 31 rebounds. Her 31 rebounds (21 defensive boards) sets a new single game record in the USCAA tournament. She played all 50 minutes of the contest.

Meehan connected on six 3-pointers and finished with 24 points. Helena Covington (Elmira Free) chipped in 12 and Destiny Brito (Manhattan/Park West) finished with nine points, 12 assists, and five rebounds while playing 50 minutes. 

Alfred State shot 33.3% from the field for the day but connected on nine-three pointers. From the foul line the Lady Pioneers were only 6 for 16 during regulation but hit all 13 attempts from the charity stripe in the overtime sessions.

Vietinghoff led IWC with 28 points and 13 rebounds. Whitney Godden added 18 and Rachel Williams chipped in 13 points, 10 boards, and six assists.

The Lady Tigers shot 27.6% from the field for the game, connected on 11 of 44 three-point attempts, and was 26 for 35 from the foul line.

The Lady Pioneers are making their first USCAA postseason appearance.