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University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
13-11, 10-3BSC
Charleston Southern
10-14, 5-8BSC
Trani’s Last-Second Putback In Overtime Gives Bulldogs 71-69 Victory over Charleston Southern
02.13.2018 | Women's Basketball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Junior Ali Trani gave UNC Asheville women's basketball its second overtime victory of the season, as the guard netted a last-second putback and gave the Bulldogs the 71-69 overtime victory over Charleston Southern on Tuesday inside Kimmel Arena.
BULLDOG BITES
Game Highlights
The Bulldogs opened the contest on a 10-1 run, as Jessica Wall made two three-pointers in the first five minutes. Asheville saw its first double-digit lead of the game (14-3) off a Nadiria Evans jumper, but after a 7-0 CSU run, the contest was pulled within four points, 16-12.
Both teams started to exchange baskets. However, the Bucs took seven more shots and made three more free-throws in the second quarter, as CSU made it a one-point contest (29-28) at the halftime break.
Khaila Webb and Wall combined for 17 of the team's points in the first half, as the duo combined for 7-for-11 from the field.
At the start of the third quarter, UNC Asheville continued to hold a single-digit lead as its lead got as high as nine (47-38) in the stanza. However, the Buccaneers cut the deficit to two (47-45) with just over a minute and a half remaining and eventually tied the game (48-48) with a made free-throw at the end of the quarter.
The Bulldogs quickly responded in the final 10 minutes, as they opened the fourth quarter on a 8-2 run. After a 6-0 Buccaneer run, the Bulldogs were tied for a third time in the contest at 56 each.
With only seconds remaining in regulation, Trani converted on a pair of free-throws to push the Asheville lead to two, 58-56. After CSU made a free-throw, Wall calmly made back-to-back free-throws to make it a three-point game (60-57) for Asheville. However, Njeri Nelms ran the court with only seconds left and made a three-pointer to force overtime tied 60-60.
In the first overtime session, Charleston Southern started the five-minute period on a 5-0 run. The Bulldogs responded halfway through the stanza with a Zip Scott layup and a Wall three-pointer to knot the game at 65-65.
The Bucs converted on two free-throws to make it a two-point game, but red-shirt junior Tiffany Wilson made a left-handed layup to tie the game again.
With just over a minute left, CSU's Tierra Steede made a jump shot, but 16 seconds later, Trani converted on back-to-back free-throws to tie the game for a third time in a two-minute span.
Charleston Southern had a chance to get the final shot, but Nelms fouled with 11 seconds left in overtime, which gave Asheville the final shot.
After advancing the ball, Wall had a chance to win the game on a three-pointer, but the shot fell short. However, Trani came out of the scrum under the basket, which allowed the Moseley, Va. native to put back one last attempt with under a second left. After hitting the back iron twice, the ball found its natural finish at the bottom of the net.
The final second shot gave UNC Asheville the 71-69 victory.
Senior guard Webb paced the Bulldogs as she netted 21 total points, including 12 in the second half. The Spartanburg, S.C. native converted on nine baskets as well as three assists and a steal.
Wall totaled 18 points, as she converted on a game-high four three-pointers. She finished the contest with two assists and two boards.
Despite fouling out in regulation, Bronaza Fitzgerald grabbed nine boards and totaled eight points. Wilson finished the game going 3-for-4 from the field, as she matched her teammate with a game-high nine rebounds.
After her buzzer beater, Trani finished the contest with five points. She only made one basket, which was the game-winner.
As a team, UNC Asheville shot 46 percent from the field (28-for-61). The Bulldogs connected on 16 second-chance points and 38 points in the paint. They out-rebounded CSU by 15 (45-30), including 11 on the defensive glass.
With Liberty falling to Radford (52-45) on Tuesday, UNC Asheville is only one game away from matching first-place Liberty in the Big South Conference.
With its win, UNC Asheville moves to 13-11 overall and 10-3 in Big South games. Charleston Southern drops to 10-14 overall and 5-8 in the league.
Quotable
What's Next?
The Bulldogs will rest up after playing two games in three days, as they will travel to league-leading Liberty on Saturday, Feb. 17. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. in Lynchburg, Va.
