Ogle's two free throws lift ECU by Cotton Blossoms
Feb. 13—MONTICELLO, Ark. — Senior Kate Ogle hit two free throws with 0.7 left on the clock to give the East Central University women's basketball team a heart-pounding 52-50 win over host Arkansas-Monticello Saturday afternoon inside the Steelman Fieldhouse.
The Tigers improved to 7-13 overall and 3-13 in Great American Conference play, while Arkansas-Monticello dropped to 7-15 and 3-13.
"I'm proud of our effort in the fourth quarter to finish the game," said ECU women's coach Heather Hurt. "Kate came up big for us. She made a heads-up play at the end to get fouled on an offensive rebound. Her two free throws won the game for us."
With the game knotted at 50-50, ECU's Jayden Weiberg tossed up a long 3-pointer that was off the mark. Ogle tracked down the ball underneath the basket and was fouled on a putback attempt. Ogle buried both free shots to give ECU the victory.
The game featured 14 lead changes and five ties.
Both teams scored 11 points in the first quarter and 13 in the second and the game was deadlocked at 24-24 by halftime.
The Tigers gained momentum in the third quarter, outscoring the Cotton Blossoms 15-10 to build a 39-34 advantage heading into the final period.
Ogle extended the Tiger lead to 41-34 — the biggest lead of the game by either team — with a layup at the start of the fourth. However, a late 9-2 scoring run by the Cotton Blossoms tied the game at 43-all and set up the exciting finish.
Ogle finished with 13 points and eight rebounds for the Tigers. She made 4-of-7 field goals and went 4-of-4 from the free-throw line.
Mackenzie Crusoe and Kennedy Cummings also scored 13 points each for ECU. Crusoe registered a double-double with 11 rebounds and also had three steals and made a trio of 3-point baskets. Cummings finished 4-of-9 from the field and 5-of-6 from the free-throw line.
Alindsey Long and Kelsey Blakemore scored 12 points each to pace the Cotton Blossoms.
The ECU women's basketball team will head to Durant on Thursday to face old rival Southeastern. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. inside the Bloomer Sullivan Arena.
