Lady Panthers defeat Gold Nuggets 81-79 in overtime

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas -- Jerrica Scott's two free throws with one second remaining in overtime gave Philander Smith an 81-79 women's basketball victory Saturday against Xavier University of Louisiana.

The Lady Panthers (16-6, 5-4 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference) extended their home win streak to 13 games. They rallied from an eight-point deficit in the final 4 1/2 minutes of regulation and from four down in the first minute of overtime.

Scott's winning points followed Xavier freshman Daylin Boatner's tying 3-point play with 43 seconds remaining.

Caryan Jones scored 25 points, six in overtime, for Philander Smith. Scott had 22 points, 10 rebounds and six steals, and Brittany Leonard scored 14 points.

Vinnie Briggs had her third double-double of the season -- a career-high-tying 20 points plus 10 rebounds -- for the Gold Nuggets (14-13, 7-4). Whitney Gathright scored 17 points, and Boatner had a career-high 16 points.

Donyeah Mayfield grabbed 10 rebounds and became the first XU rebounder since the start of 2003-04 season to reach double figures in four consecutive games.

Philander Smith led 33-29 at halftime. Xavier rallied and led for nearly 13 consecutive minutes -- 64-56 with 4:37 remaining -- before Jones' 3-point play tied the score at 69 with 36 seconds remaining. The Gold Nuggets missed a shot and committed a turnover in the final 20 seconds of regulation.

Xavier outshot the Lady Panthers 36.2 to 33.8 percent from the floor, outrebounded them 48-39 and made a season-high 27 free throws. But the Gold Nuggets committed a season-worst 28 turnovers, which resulted in 26 Philander Smith points.

The loss dropped the Gold Nuggets into third place in the GCAC. They'll stay on the road and visit Tougaloo at 5:30 p.m. Monday in Tougaloo, Mississippi.

Box score


Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
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