MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Ferrum College's
Shea Smith drained a three-pointer at the buzzer to send the game into overtime at 64-64, en route to a 79-77 double-overtime women's basketball win this afternoon over Rhodes College in the Bancorp South Holiday Classic. The win over the #17-ranked Lynx keeps the Panthers unbeaten at 4-0 this season.
Rhodes led 63-61 with six seconds left in regulation when Catherine Eckert made the first of two free throws. When Eckert missed the second, Ferrum's
Boreika Burwell controlled the rebound and headed up the court, where she found Smith on the left side for the game-tying three-pointer.
Ferrum took a 70-68 lead in the first overtime with 35 seconds showing on the clock, but Sarah Johnson drained a pair of free throws for the Lynx with 19 seconds left to send the game into a second overtime.
With the game tied 77-77 with 36 seconds left in the second OT,
Kayla Goins rebounded a missed Rhodes three-pointer. Burwell was fouled on the other end with six seconds left, and converted a pair of free throws for the final score. Rhodes had a chance to send the game into a third overtime when Johnson went to the line with one second left, but missed a pair of free throws.
Kylene Culler had 18 points and 13 rebounds to lead Ferrum, and Burwell had 16 points and 13 rebounds.
Jacole Hairston had 13 points and
Katy Kipps added 12 points. Ferrum won the battle of the boards 49-45.
Rhodes (9-1) had five players in double-figures, including Symone Daniels with 19 points and 11 rebounds, and Dy'Nelle Todman with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Johnson and Eckert had 13 points each in the loss, while Blair Smith had 10 points.
Ferrum (4-0) returns to action Friday and Saturday, Jan. 3-4, with a pair of USA South Athletic Conference games. Coach
Bryan Harvey's team faces league newcomer Covenant College Friday at 6:00 p.m. in Lookout Mountain, Georgia. The Panthers then play at Maryville (Tenn.) College Saturday at 2:00 p.m. Both games will be part of USA South doubleheaders, with Ferrum's men playing following the women's games.
