SPARTANBURG, SC - The Eastern Kentucky University women's basketball team needed an overtime period to defeat Wofford College Sunday afternoon, 83-82.

Eastern opened with the first two points of the game, and led by as much as eight during the opening half. Wofford earned its first tie of the contest with 3:07 remaining in the first on the first free throw of a one and one by Meredith Denton. Denton gave Wofford its first lead by knocking down the second free throw, making the score 31-30 in favor of the home team. The first half ended deadlocked, 34-34.

"We shot the ball terrible in the first half," said Eastern head coach Larry Joe Inman.

The second half was close the entire way. The largest lead for any team was a five point lead for Eastern. At the end of regulation, the score was once again all knotted up, 70-70.

In the overtime period, Eastern weathered a storm by Wofford sophomore guard Jenny Nett, who scored 10 of her 28 in that final five minutes. Nett entered the game averaging more than 17 points per outing. Following the first half, Eastern had limited Nett to only four points. But the Lousiville, KY, native came out strong during the second half and overtime.

Leading the way for Eastern was sophomore forward Charlotte Sizemore and senior forward Jennifer King. King contributed a career-high 15 points, including scoring six of the Lady Colonels first eight points to open the game to go along with nine rebounds. Sizemore ended the afternoon with 22 points. She also added four rebounds and three steals. Sizemore's third steal of the day came with only two seconds remaining in overtime, solidifying the Lady Colonel victory.

"Defense carried us in this game," continued Inman. "Mentally, down the stretch, these kids were not going to be denied. They refused to lose."

Following a spectacular outing last night at Coastal Carolina, junior guard Marla Gearhart needed a little time to get warmed up. She was held to only two points in the first half, but finished the game with 13 points. She also added two assists and one steal, without committing a turnover.

"Everyone showed poise and character," said Inman. "Shannon Browning hit a big bucket late, Mikki Bond denied Wofford's best player late, Marla played well down the stretch and Charlotte's steal at the end was real big."

The Lady Colonels forced Wofford into 35 turnovers and outrebounded the Lady Terriers 57-43, including a 32-10 advantage on the offensive glass.

"When you force 35 turnovers, you're playing some good defense," said Inman.

EKU improves its record to 4-3. The Lady Colonels will take Christmas off before getting back into action on Dec. 28-29 in the Seelbach Tournament hosted by the University of Louisville.

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