Taylor's Rally Spoils Eagles' Record Night

WILMORE, Ky. – A historic night ended in disappointment for Asbury, falling to Taylor (Ind.) 83-82 in overtime.  Lakin Griffith had the school’s second 20-20 night and Ellen Gray eclipsed the 1,000 career point mark in the loss.

Asbury (5-8) led trailed for only eight minutes in the game, but it was the last 13 seconds that proved to be deadly.  The Eagles built a 34-30 halftime lead and pushed the lead to as many as 10 in the second half.  Griffith led the charge with eight points and nine rebounds before the break.  Seven Eagles scored in the first half.

Taylor (8-2) tied the game at 73-73 with thirty seconds left in the second half as Erin Guarneri scored in the paint.  Guarneri would finish with a game-high 30 points and 15 rebounds on 14-of-21 shooting.  Asbury would be unable to get off a shot before the buzzer.

In overtime the teams would trade leads five times, the final coming with 13 seconds left as Ashley Fouch made her only shot of the night.  Shayna wood would miss a free throw with three seconds left to give the Eagles a chance, but Laura Carroll’s 18-footer at the buzzer would rim out.  Carroll would finish four-of-14 from the floor with eight points and six assists.  Griffith was a monster inside, scoring 25 points and pulling down a career best 20 rebounds.  It is only the ninth 20-rebound game and the second 20-20 game in program history.

Ellen Gray would become the seventh member of the 1,000 point club with a three in the second half.  She would hit five more threes on eight attempts, bringing her school record to 183.  Trenia Barbee would add 13 points despite playing only 19 minutes due to foul trouble and Dorian Downs came off the bench to add 10 points and eight rebounds.  She would also record three blocks.

Asbury would pull down 50 rebounds to Taylor’s 45, snatching 16 offensive boards.  Taylor would score 46 points in the paint and hit on only four-of-17 from beyond the arc.  Asbury added 36 points in the paint and eight-of-24 from long range.

The Eagles will host their annual Zweifel/Pritchett Classic with the men’s team beginning on Friday.  Asbury women will play at 6 p.m. on Friday and 4 p.m. on Saturday.