HOUSTON – The Celts of the University of St. Thomas forced overtime but were unable to overtake their ranked opponent Friday as they were edged 85-77 by Mary Hardin-Baylor.
UST drained two 3-point shots in a five-second span during the waning moments of regulation, with Bresha Orange (SR/Longview, Texas) knocking down the tying trey with 10 seconds left to force overtime.
Click here to see Bresha Orange's game-tying 3-pointer at the end of regulation.
With the Celts (3-2) trailing 66-61 with 26 seconds remaining, Aerial Starks (SO/Houston, Texas) knocked down a 3-pointer with 15 seconds remaining on the clock to cut UMHB's lead to two points. UST immediately fouled the Cru's Hannah Holt, who was 4-for-4 from the free throw line at the game. After making her first attempt, Holt missed the second shot, giving the Celts their chance to send the game into overtime.
In the overtime session, UMHB scored the first seven points to take control of the frame. The Celts would twice close the gap to a single point, with Starks knocking down another 3-pointer with 2:15 left to play in overtime. But each time, the Cru had an answer, and sealed the game at the free throw line.
Orange led the Celts with 16 points, while Starks poured in 14, going 4-of-7 from 3-point range. Alexya Castillo (SO/Cypress, Texas) came off the bench to score 15 points in addition to tying a career-high with eight rebounds.
Zariah McInnis (JR/Richmond, Texas) chipped in 10 points for the Celts, while Briana De Los Santos (SR/Houston, Texas) added five points and a game-high 10 rebounds.
Mary Hardin-Baylor (2-1), which entered the game ranked No. 7 in the d3hoops.com poll and No. 13 in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association poll, was led by Holt's 21 points.
Click here for the post-game interview with Bresha Orange and head coach Jae Cross.
The Celts return to action Saturday, Nov. 30, when they head to Alpine, Texas, to take part in the Sul Ross State University Classic. The Celts face Sul Ross State on that Saturday, with tipoff scheduled for 1 p.m.
