CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - The Coe College women's basketball team advance to the American Rivers Conference Tournament semifinals on Tuesday evening with a dramatic 76-74 overtime victory over sixth-seeded Luther College at Kohawk Arena. The teams fought back-and-forth throughout the entire contest, exchanging the lead 21 different times in the five periods. Coe trailed by three entering the final quarter as Luther took control late in the third with a 9-5 run. The Kohawks fought back and took a lead late in the fourth but a game-tying layup from Luther sent the game to overtime. The Norse quickly grabbed a five-point lead in the extra frame but Coe responded, scoring 11 of the final 15 points in the game.
Ellie Wisner scored the final bucket of the contest and put her team up for good, cashing in on a corner 3 with 25 seconds left. Coe then played excellent defense on the ensuing possession, forcing a pair of missed shots from Luther as the hosts hung on for the win.
Kaalyn Petersen was Coe's top offensive player in the win, scoring 24 points while eclipsing the 1,000-career point mark. Petersen, who also recorded a double-double in the win with 10 boards, becomes the 14th player in program history to hit the 1,000-point mark.
Caydee Kirkham was crucial in the second half and overtime, scoring 15 of her 19 points in the final three periods. Kirkham finished the game 10-of-10 from the free throw line and hit all six of her overtime freebies. Wisner was just behind Kirkham with 15 points, going 4-of-7 from beyond the arc while adding a trio of free throws.
#3 COE 76 - #6 LUTHER 74 OT
GAME FACTS
- Luther raced out of the gate in the opener, scoring 11 of the first 15 points to take a commanding lead just over six minutes in. The Kohawks responded following a timeout, scoring nine unanswered points including a pair of 3s from Wisner. Coe, which had taken a 13-11 lead with the run, conceded the final points of the quarter, allowing Luther a pair of free throws to tie the score after one. Coe began to pull away in the second quarter, beginning the period with a 15-8 run that included six points from Taylor Brunson. Luther refused to roll over despite a seven-point deficit, finishing the second period on a 12-6 run to make it 34-33 at the break. The Norse stayed hot out after returning from the locker room, putting together a 15-10 run in the first eight minutes of the third quarter to take a 48-44 lead. Coe momentarily slowed the momentum, getting five of the next seven points but Luther converted a layup just before the end of the third period to take a 52-49 lead into the final quarter. The Kohawks regained a slim lead to start the fourth, opening the period with a 9-5 run. The teams then went back-and-forth in the final four minutes of the period but a layup from Luther tied the game at 63 and forced overtime. The visitors scored seven of the first nine points in the extra period, grabbing a 70-65 lead early. Kirkham then took over, hitting four consecutive free throws to draw Coe back within one. The Kohawks regained the lead a few possessions later as Kirkham was sent back to the free throw line where she hit her fifth and sixth try of the period. Luther regained the lead one final time with 2:15 to play on a jumper but Wisner gave Coe the last laugh, cashing in the game-winning jumper from the far corner.
Up next: Coe advances to the semifinal round with the victory and will take on second-seeded Loras College on Thursday, February 22 at 7 PM in Dubuque.
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