DUBUQUE, Iowa - The Coe College women's basketball team pulled off a stunning come-from-behind victory on Wednesday evening at the University of Dubuque, defeating the Spartans 71-70 in overtime. The victory, which clinched the program's first 20-win season since 2011-12, featured a fourth-quarter comeback from Coe, erasing a late eight-point deficit in the period to force overtime. Coe ended regulation on an 11-3 run, getting seven points in the final three minutes from
Caydee Kirkham. The Kohawks narrowly edged the Spartans in overtime, scoring six of the period's 11 points as a
Katie Wilhelmi free throw proved to be the ultimate difference maker in the victory. Kirkham scored a game-high 25 points, including 18 in the second half and overtime. She added five assists, four steals and two rebounds while eclipsing the 20-point mark for the third consecutive contest.
Taylor Brunson posted 16 points and was two boards shy of a double-double, adding eight rebounds, five steals and three assists.
Kaalyn Petersen got back to her double-double ways in the victory, finishing with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Additionally, head coach
Kayla Waskow picked up her 100th victory as the head coach of the Kohawks, improving her all-time record to 100-66.
COE 71 - DUBUQUE 70 OT
GAME FACTS
- UD got off to a solid start, scoring seven of the opening nine points while holding Coe to just a pair of free throws. The Kohawks settled in to the game midway through the period, gaining momentum as they went on a 12-5 run to end the quarter. Coe quickly extended its lead in the second, getting an early 9-6 spurt to push its lead to 23-18 with 4:57 left in the half. Dubuque closed the gap prior to the halftime buzzer, ending the period with 10 of the final 16 points to pull within one point at 29-28. UD controlled the opening four-plus minutes of the third, taking the first significant lead in the contest at 42-34. The hosts continued to push the issue, extending their advantage to 13 with just over 2:30 remaining in the quarter. Coe quickly got back within touching distance before the end of the third, ripping off a crucial 7-2 run to make it 51-43 ahead of the fourth. UD tried to pull away again immediately in the fourth, getting seven of the first 10 points to regain a double-digit lead at 58-46. Coe refused to go away, answering with a quick 8-2 spurt to pull back within six points with over four minutes remaining. The run continued for the visitors, closing the game with an 11-2 run in the final 2:44 as a pair of Kirkham layups gave Coe a 65-64 lead with nine seconds to play. UD got sent to the line with one second to go but only managed to split the attempts, sending the game to overtime with the score knotted at 65. Kirkham opened the overtime period with a bang, knocking down a triple to give Coe the advantage. UD went on to score the next five points, getting a 3 and two free throws to go up 70-68. The Kohawks scored the final three points of the game, all from the free throw line. Brunson started job at the line, knocking down a pair before Wilhelmi split two, making it 71-70. Coe's defense then came up with its biggest stop of the game, holding the hosts scoreless on the final possession of overtime.
Up next: The Kohawks conclude the regular season on Saturday at home, taking on Wartburg College at 2 PM at Kohawk Arena.
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