CalTech Downs 'Roos in Overtime

PASADENA, Calif. - The Austin College women's basketball team overcame a slow start to take CalTech to overtime, but the 'Roos were outscored 13-1 in the extra frame in a 70-58 defeat on Wednesday afternoon. The 'Roos are now 3-9 overall on the year.

CalTech took a 15-2 lead early before Austin College used an 8-2 run over the final four minutes of the first quarter to cut it to 17-10 after one. The 'Roos carried that momentum into the second quarter, and after CalTech took a 27-22 lead Austin College got a bucket by Avory Miller and a three from Lexi Martin to square things up at 27-27 with 1:31 left before halftime. Lauren Traylor knocked down a triple with just under a minute left to give the 'Roos their first lead of the game at 30-27, and that's where things would stand heading into the break.

The teams traded the lead throughout the third quarter, with CalTech going ahead 42-41 heading into the fourth, and the 'Roos found themselves trailing 54-49 with 2:35 remaining in regulation. Traylor got a basket and Amarys Cuellar hit a three to even things up at 54 apiece with 1:56 left, and after CalTech got a three to go on top with 1:30 left, Martin hit a clutch trey with a minute on the clock to make it 57-57, and that's how things would stand at the end of the fourth. However, overtime proved to be all CalTech, as they scored the first five points of overtime before a free throw from Traylor made it 62-58 with 2:34 left to play. CalTech finished the period with an 8-0 run, and managed to hold Austin College without a field goal in the five minute frame.

Traylor had 18 points and 10 rebounds to lead the 'Roos, and Naomi Anamekwe came off the bench to haul in 15 rebounds. Raylee McDonald had a career day off the bench, scoring nine points on 3-of-5 shooting and pulling down four rebounds, and Cuellar chipped in eight points and six rebounds. Austin College was held to 31.9% shooting as a team and turned the ball over 21 times, compared to 12 for CalTech, who got a game-high 26 points from Kathryn Edwards.