Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Florida Atlantic
1-8
Bethune-Cookman
5-5
Women's Basketball Outlast Bethune-Cookman in Triple Overtime
12/20/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 20, 2011
DeLand, FL - The Florida Atlantic University women's basketball team dug down deep to pick up a 71-70 victory over Bethune-Cookman University in triple overtime to begin play in the Stetson Hatter Classic at the Edmunds Center in DeLand.
The game tied for the longest game in school history, evened the Owls' record at 5-5 and completed a season swept of the Wildcats. It also marked the team's first road victory of the season.
"We definitely went the extra mile to earn an important victory," said Chancellor Dugan, FAU's head women's basketball coach. "We put forth our best defensive effort of the season today. The girls know they can play better and they want to show that tomorrow against Stetson."
The game featured 15 lead changes, 11 ties and neither team could manage to get more than a three-point lead at any stage of the second half.
Sophomore guard Latavia Dempsey scored the first nine points of the third overtime and had 12 of her 15 total points in the five-minute period to lead the Owls to their second straight victory. Her three-point field goal gave the team its largest lead in the late stages at 65-60. The five-point advantage remained at 69-64 following a free throw by sophomore guard Takia Brooks. However, the Wildcats made one last push, trimming the deficit to one point with 23 seconds left. Dempsey connected on two pressure-packed free throws before a Bethune-Cookman's Kiki Devane made a layup with four seconds remaining capped the scoring.
"Latavia stepped up her play when we needed her the most to win the game," said Dugan.
Florida Atlantic held a three-point lead, 35-32, with 10:12 left in the second half. However, Bethune-Cookman came back to take a 37-36 lead after a free throw by Jasmine Elum at the 5:54 mark. The teams traded leads over the next few possessions before the Owls evened the game at 43 when senior forward Vontrice Dennis split a pair of free throws with 1:26 remaining. Bethune-Cookman's Demetria Frank missed two free throws with 1:02 left and her attempt at the game-winning 10-footer missed before the end of regulation time.
The teams would be deadlocked at 50 and 56 after the first two overtime periods. The Owls featured a balanced scoring attack with four double-figure scorers. Sophomore post player Chenise Miller led the way with a career-high 18 points. Dempsey added 15 points, senior forward April Goins chipped in 12 points and sophomore guard Kimberly Smith added 11 points off the bench.
Bethune-Cookman (1-8) was led by Elum's 22 points, while Frank scored 13 points. The game was the longest FAU game since playing a three-overtime game against Lipscomb University during the 2004-05 season.
FAU defeated Bethune-Cookman on November 20 in Boca Raton.
The Owls will close out the non-conference schedule on Wednesday, December 21, at 3:15 p.m. when they battle the host Hatters. Live audio and statistics of the game can be found at www.fausports.com. For season and single-game tickets contact the FAU Ticket Office at 1-866-FAU-OWLS.
