(Portions of this story courtesy of Trinity University)

IRVING, Texas - Unlike the rare Texas snowfall still covering the ground, some things have become common place across the conference. For the second consecutive year, the Texas Lutheran University and Trinity University women put on a show, and in a classic SCAC Tournament showdown between the past two conference champions, the Trinity Tigers were able to pull off a 91-78 overtime victory over the Texas Lutheran Bulldogs in the second of Saturday’s two conference semifinals. Box Score | Official Tournament Website | Women's Interactive Bracket | Video Recap

Trinity improved to 22-5 with the win, while the loss for Texas Lutheran (16-9) ensures that tomorrow’s SCAC title game will bring about a new champion.  

Texas Lutheran erased a seven-point Trinity lead in the final minute of regulation, taking advantage of two missed free throws by the Tigers.  The rally was capped by a clutch three from way behind the line by TLU’s Karisa Cantu, making it a 73-73 game with five ticks remaining. 

In overtime, Trinity took the lead for good on a pair of free throws in the first minute of action, and Texas Lutheran struggled from the field in the final five minutes, hitting just two of 10 shots.  The final minute of the extra period was a complete turnaround from regulation for Trinity, as the Tigers scored seven points in the final 28 seconds to seal the victory. 

In In the first half of play, Trinity looked like it might run away with the game, pulling ahead by as many as 15 points (30-15). The Bulldogs finished strong in the first half as well, though, pulling even at 42-42 by the break. Texas Lutheran carried that momentum into the second half as well, leading for the majority of the period, before Trinity pulled away late to set up the second huge comeback of the day for the Bulldogs.

Anecia Richardson led the way for the Tigers with 22 points and 13 rebounds, hitting 8-12 from the field and 6-7 from the free throw line. Hannah Coley also had 22 points, hitting 3-8 from three-point range, and leading Trinity with six assists. 

Kristen Lye came off the bench to score a game-high 23 points and pull down a team-best eight rebounds for the Bulldogs, but she fouled out late in the game, and was limited to just 23 minutes of action. Cantu scored 19 points on 6-11 shooting, as well as 2-3 from distance.

Trinity will take on Southwestern University in tomorrow’s SCAC Championship game, after the Pirates took a 76-69 win in the first semifinal of the day. Southwestern won both of the regular season meetings between the two teams.