Untimely fouls result in overtime loss for Women’s Basketball

PITTSBURGH --- Carlow University women's basketball lost an AMCC heartbreaker, 70-68, in overtime to Hilbert (N.Y.) College Saturday afternoon.

The Celtics (9-8, 7-5 AMCC) forced 25 turnovers that resulted in 19 points, but it was not enough as the Hawks (4-15, 4-8 AMCC) came through with the win in overtime.

Carlow shot better from the foul line on the afternoon but sent Hilbert there far more often throughout the game.

Emiley Hillgartner shot 8 for 10 from the foul line to lead Carlow with 15 points. She had six rebounds, four assists and a steal. Sydney Carr had 12 points, three assists and three steals, and Emari Stinnette added 10 points in the effort.

The teams traded leads through the first quarter and were deadlocked at 10-all for almost two minutes before a layup from Brianna Evans broke the stalemate to give Carlow the lead. Hilbert tied the game at 12, but a subsequent trey by Emma Aubrey gave the Celtics the advantage once again.

Carlow led 22-13 at the end of the first quarter, and neither team would score until almost two minutes into the second when Hilbert landed a jumper to cut Carlow's lead to seven. The Celtics outscored Hilbert 18-11 to take a 16-point lead into halftime.

The Hawks went on an 18-5 run to start the third quarter, clawing their way back to trail by three points with less than three minutes remaining in the quarter. A few buckets and a free throw gave Carlow some breathing room as the Celtics held on to a 52-44 lead heading into the fourth.

The Celtics maintained a tenuous lead through the quarter, but four free throws in a row allowed the Hawks to tie the game at 60-all with 2:50 left in regulation. Twelve of Hilbert's 20 points in the fourth quarter came from the foul line alone.

Elena Butler made a layup, but Hilbert returned the favor to keep the score tied at 62. The teams traded free throws that tied the game once again at 64-64, and time dwindled off the clock as the teams headed to their benches to prepare for overtime.

Carr and Hillgartner made layups to put the Celtics ahead four, but once again foul shots came into play, allowing the Hawks to cut Carlow's advantage to two. A Hilbert layup tied the score at 68, and another pair of free throws put the Hawks ahead, 70-68. Neither team would score for the next minute and a half as Hilbert held on for the win.

Hilbert outrebounded the Celtics 54-39, but Carlow outscored the Hawks 38-28 in the paint and 18-4 off the bench.

Alesia Hamm went 15 for 16 from the foul line to lead the Hawks with a double-double, game-high 33 points and 10 rebounds. She dished out six assists and picked up two steals. Kelsey Schlagenhauf had 17 points, Mackenzie Catan added 11 points and Avery Cusak tallied 16 boards.

Carlow hosts Grace Christian University for a 6 p.m. game tomorrow.