ROSEBURG – Umpqua freshman Tynesha Parnell made a three-pointer with 26 seconds remaining in regulation to cap off a 14-3 run by the RiverHawks and forced overtime where top-ranked UCC finished off a comeback 78-73 victory over the visiting Lane Titans Wednesday night.
Lane pestered Umpqua all night long with its defense and made 50 percent of its shots in the first quarter to take an early six-point advantage. The Titans continued to lead through the second quarter and into the third, where they pulled ahead by as much as 14 points.
Umpqua struggled to find consistency on offense and committed 23 turnovers in the contest. Despite facing their first loss of the season, the RiverHawks stayed resilient and fought back from an 11-point deficit in the final 5:23 of the fourth quarter.
Sophomore Bria Thames scored eight of her season-high 28 points in UCC’s 14-3 run in the fourth. She made a lay-in with 44 seconds left on the clock to cut the deficit to three. Jordan Stotler blocked a shot by Lane’s Emma Jones to give the RiverHawks a shot at tying the game.
Umpqua was given chances to cut into the Titans’ lead from the free throw line, but missed on two occasions. After a miss by Stotler, Parnell came up with a critical offensive rebound. The freshman from Portland would get the ball back in her hands just seconds later and made her only basket of the contest to tie the score at 67.
With time still left on the clock, the RiverHawks needed another defensive stand. This time it was Taylor Stricklin that snatched the ball away to force the extra period.
In overtime, the RiverHawks went on a 7-2 run over the final three minutes to keep their undefeated record intact.
Thames finished with 28 points and 10 rebounds to lead four UCC players in double figures. Rachel Fielder led Lane with 21.
Up next, the RiverHawks begin the second half of the league season with a home contest against the Mt. Hood Saints.
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