MAGNOLIA, Ark. – SWOSU Women's Basketball picked up an overtime win over Southern Arkansas after dominating the boards and knocking down clutch free throws to come out on top, 71-66. The victory marked the Lady Bulldogs' first overtime win since the 2021-22 season.
SWOSU committed 30 turnovers — tied for the most by a GAC team this season — but overcame the miscues by owning the glass. The Lady Bulldogs pulled down 52 rebounds, double Southern Arkansas' 26, and grabbed 22 offensive boards to build a 15-5 advantage in second-chance points.
A critical run to close the second quarter helped the Lady Bulldogs climb back into the game after another slow start. After SAU opened the frame on a 6-0 run with two three-pointers, SWOSU held them scoreless over the final 6:30 and went on a 14-0 run to end the half with a three-point lead, 28-25.
The third quarter turned into a free throw shooting contest, with the teams combining for 21 free throws attempted, foreshadowing the upcoming overtime period.
The fourth quarter remained tightly contested with no separation on either side. A clutch three-pointer by SAU gave the home team a two-point lead before
Elle Papahronis was fouled and sent to the line, where she calmly knocked down both free throws to tie the game with 35 seconds left. On the Muleriders' next possession, after draining nearly the entire shot clock, Hope Bump made a teardrop floater to regain the lead with just six seconds remaining. Papahronis then came up clutch once again, finishing a beautifully drawn up out-of-timeout play with an easy layup to tie the score and force overtime.
The overtime period saw the teams combine to shoot 2-14 from the field, but the difference came at the free throw line and on the glass. SWOSU made all seven of its attempts from the charity stripe, compared to just 2-2 for SAU. The Lady Dawgs also outrebounded Southern Arkansas 10-2 in the period, including four offensive rebounds, to secure a much needed 71-66 win.
When it was all said and done,
Elle Papahronis finished with 10 points and 20 rebounds. It marked the most rebounds by a player in the GAC this season and just the 10th time a player has recorded at least 20 rebounds in Division II this year.
Landry Allen led the way with 21 points after going 9-11 from the free throw line. She also added six rebounds, two steals and four blocks, marking her eighth game this season with at least four blocks.
Sincere Jackson chipped in 19 points and 10 rebounds, including five on the offensive end.
Payten Conde recorded nine points and 10 rebounds to go along with two steals.
Neither team shot the ball well, with SWOSU finishing at 34.5 percent from the field and SAU at 33.3 percent, despite the Muleriders making one more field goal. However, SWOSU turned in its best free throw performance of the season, knocking down 27 of 31 attempts, its most makes and highest percentage of the year. The Lady Dawgs went 4-21 from three point range, while SAU finished 10-27, with the 10 makes representing the second most by the Muleriders this season.
SWOSU (6-8, 4-5 GAC) will close out the road trip against Arkansas-Monticello on Saturday. That game is set to tipoff at the usual 1:00 pm time inside Steelman Fieldhouse.
