Imagine a basketball game so intense, it takes not one, but two overtime periods to decide a winner. That's exactly what happened when the Greyhounds and Purdue Northwest Pride clashed in a heart-stopping showdown that left fans on the edge of their seats. But here's where it gets controversial... Was it the Greyhounds' defensive lapses or the Pride's relentless offense that ultimately sealed the deal in this 84-77 double-overtime thriller? Let's dive in.
This wasn't the first time these two teams pushed each other to the limit. In 2021, they battled through triple overtime, proving that their matchups are anything but ordinary. Fast forward to Saturday's game, and the drama was just as palpable, with 20 ties and 16 lead changes keeping the outcome uncertain until the very end.
And this is the part most people miss... While Autumn Rucker and Patricia Chikamba stole the spotlight with 23 and 24 points respectively—Rucker even surpassing her previous career high—it was the team's collective effort that kept them in the game. Graycie Poe and Ruby Garner's three-pointer fueled an 8-0 run in the second quarter, and Amyrah Sapenter joined Chikamba and Rucker in a crucial 7-0 surge during the first overtime. Yet, despite these heroics, the Pride's perfect 4-4 shooting in the second overtime sealed their victory.
Here’s how it unfolded: After the Greyhounds took a 17-15 lead in the first quarter, their stout defense extended the advantage to seven by halftime, holding Purdue Northwest scoreless for the final 5:49 of the second quarter. But the Pride chipped away, cutting the deficit to four by the end of the third. With 2:56 left in regulation, Rucker’s 11-point fourth-quarter effort gave UIndy a six-point lead, only for Purdue Northwest to respond with a 10-4 run, capped by Riley Milausnic’s game-tying three with 36 seconds left. Rucker’s last-second attempt missed, sending the game into overtime.
The first overtime saw the Pride jump to a seven-point lead, but the Greyhounds fought back to tie it at 71 with 39 seconds remaining. Both teams had chances to win in the final seconds, but neither could convert, forcing a second overtime. Kylah Lawson gave the Greyhounds a brief 73-71 lead, but Purdue Northwest’s flawless 4-4 shooting and a 13-4 run over the final 3:50 secured their 84-77 victory.
INSIDE THE BOX: Ruby Garner made her first start of the season, contributing seven points and seven rebounds in 30 minutes. Amyrah Sapenter played a career-high 45 minutes, the most by a Greyhound since Taylor Drury’s 46-minute performance in 2018. Chikamba went a perfect 8-8 from the free-throw line, a first for her in a single game. The Greyhounds’ bench scored 21 points, while the Pride’s bench managed only two.
Bold Question for You: Do you think the Greyhounds’ defensive lapses in the second overtime were the deciding factor, or was it Purdue Northwest’s clutch shooting that truly won the game? Share your thoughts below!
Looking ahead, the Greyhounds return home in search of their first win, with two opportunities this week against Findlay on Tuesday, December 16, and Ohio Dominican on Thursday, December 18. Will they bounce back? Only time will tell.
