University of California, Riverside
UC Davis
Women’s Basketball Uses Second-Half Comeback, Beating Aggies 47-44 in OT
2/8/2009 12:23:12 AM | Women's Basketball
Davis, CA – Led by Seyram Gbewonyo’s (Sylmar, CA) season-high 23 points, the UC Riverside women’s basketball team used a second-half comeback to defeat UC Davis 47-44 in overtime on Saturday evening at The Pavilion in Davis, CA. The Highlanders move to 13-9 on the year and 9-1 in the Big West Conference.
Down by two with under a minute to go in regulation, Gbewonyo hit a three-pointer with 45.7 seconds left to give the Highlanders their first lead of the game, 37-36. UC Davis (7-14, 3-7) then scored on the next possession, retaking the lead 38-37. With 10 seconds to go, Chanel Foster (Tustin, CA) was fouled while shooting a three and made one of three from the line to send the ballgame into overtime.
In the overtime period, the Highlanders took a 45-40 lead, but four straight free throws by the Aggies closed the gap to one. Kemie Nkele (San Diego, CA) then hit a jumper with 1:18 remaining to give UCR a 47-44 lead as they held on to claim the victory.
Gbewonyo led all scorers with 23 points on 7-of-17 from the field including 4-of-9 from beyond the arc and 5-of-6 from the foul line. Jessie Schmuckal (Chula Vista, CA) added 12 points while Roney Friend grabbed a season-high 11 boards.
In the first half, the Highlanders struggled early on as they were held without a bucket until the 11:02 mark when Schmuckal hit two free throws to put them on board. UC Davis led by as much as 13 points, 18-5, at the 6:03 mark, as UCR shot 18.2 percent from the field compared to the Aggies 36.0 percent in the half. UC Davis entered the locker rooms with a 23-16 lead.
The Highlanders return to action in a non-conference match up against Cal State Bakersfield on Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 5:30 pm at the Student Recreation Center in Riverside. Live game coverage is available at www.gohighlanders.com
Game Notes
The Aggies limited the Highlanders to 16 first-half points, the lowest all season. The previous low mark was 17 set against Liberty on November 21, 2008.
The Highlanders 38 points in regulation was the lowest 40 minute regulation total of the season.
This is the first overtime game of the season for the Highlanders.
