Eagles Let Lead Slip Away

WILMORE, Ky. – An eight point lead with 2:27 to go wasn’t enough for the Eagles as Cincinnati-Clermont clawed back to steal a 79-73 victory away from Asbury on Tuesday night in the Luce Center.  Asbury would miss their final three shots and turn the ball over on their last possession.

The Eagles (7-9) would have the ball with 13 seconds left but turned it over with five seconds left before they could get a shot up.  Clermont’s Ashley Keith would knock down two free throws to give the Cougars a three point lead.  After a timeout with three seconds left, a long pass was stolen by Keith and Tess Jenike made a three as time expired to make the final margin six points.  Keith finished with a game-high 22 points, Jenike made four three’s and finished with 14 points.

Ellen Gray led Asbury with 21 points, hitting on five-of-nine from three-point range and six-of-seven from the free throw line.  Laura Carroll (14), Trenia Barbee (13) and Lakin Griffith (10) all finished in double figures.  Griffith finished with a double-double, her fifth of the season, adding 12 rebounds.

The size of the Cougars presented problems all night long as Stacie Lee made 10-of-15 shots to finish with 20 points and Rachel Mullins made five-of-seven to finish with 11.  The duo combined for 17 of the team’s 32 points in the first half.  The Cougars scored 44 points in the paint compared to Asbury’s eight. 

Asbury won the battle on the boards 34-33 despite giving up size, but the Cougars shot a blistering 54% for the game including nearly 59% in the second half.  The Eagles would shoot only 40% from the field in the game.

The Eagles held a 10 point lead in the first half, the largest in the game, but would go to the break up only one, 33-32.  The game would be tied five times with the lead changing hands nine times. 

Asbury will open KIAC play on Thursday as they head to Midway for a 7 pm tip.