WISCONSIN DELLS, Wisc. — The Coe College women's basketball team suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Bethel University Saturday afternoon in the team's final game before the Christmas break, falling 88-84 to the Royals in double overtime. The Kohawks controlled the first half, outscoring the Royals 15-8 in the second quarter to establish an eight-point advantage at the break. Bethel roared back in the third quarter, using a 20-10 margin to grab a 46-44 lead after three quarters. The fourth quarter was back-and-forth early on but Coe scored 11 unanswered to lead 61-54 as
Taryn Kravig converted an old-fashioned 3-point play. Bethel closed the gap before the end of regulation, scoring nine of the final 11 points to force OT. There was little separation in the first OT period but Bethel sank two free throws to go up 74-71 with less than 15 seconds to play.
Caydee Kirkham came up clutch with a game-tying 3 moments later, cashing in to force an additional period. The Royals edged the Kohawks in the final OT, hitting a go-ahead 3 in the final 20 seconds before converting a pair of free throws to seal the victory. Kirkham led all scorers in the game with 34 points, adding five assists, four rebounds and three steals.
Audrie Helmrichs had 20-plus for the second game running, scoring 21 points while Kravig rounded out Coe's double-digit scoring efforts with 14 points.
GAME FACTS
BETHEL 88 - COE 84 20T
- Bethel and Coe fought toe-to-toe in the first quarter, trading buckets throughout the period. Coe took the first true lead of the game with four straight points as Kirkham hit a 3 to make it 19-15 but Bethel scored three unanswered to make it a one-point difference after one. The Kohawks scored six straight to begin the second quarter, getting a layup from Helmrichs before free throws and a jumper from Kirkham made it 25-18. Quinn Grubbs helped push the lead further in the quarter, hitting back-to-back 3s to make it 33-22 with 3:24 left in the half. Bethel cut the deficit under double-digits before the end of the period, scoring four of the final five points to pull within eight at the break. The Royals made a charge at the end of the third quarter, ending the period on a 14-3 run to pull within two at 46-44. The teams could not be separated in the fourth, trading punches throughout. Coe finally pulled away with a spurt late in the quarter but Bethel used a strong close that featured nine of the final 12 points to send the game to OT. Bethel took a lead late in the first OT period with four free throws in 10 seconds but Kirkham stayed cool, knocking down a game-tying 3 to send it to another frame. Bethel took another late lead in the second OT period, hitting a clutch 3 with 18 seconds left, going up 86-84. A layup-try from Kirkham missed on the opposite end, allowing Bethel to pull down the rebound and ice the game at the free throw line.
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