GEORGETOWN, Texas — With the score tied and 20 seconds remaining, all three of the Southwestern women's basketball team captains executed a perfect play to spring Lauren Fulenwider open for the game-winning 3-pointer to defeat Texas Luthern 48-45.
Even early in the season, these Pirates have been no stranger to close games, having several opportunities to tie or take leads in the closing minutes of several contests.
With defenders keying in on Fulenwider in such situations, Southwestern opted for misdirection against the Texas Lutheran 2-3 zone. Head coach Greta Grothe had Fulenwider inbound and put the ball in the hands of senior Noel Pratts, who'd punctured the Bulldogs' defense all day with 18 points.
While Pratts occupied the defense's attention, Fulenwider ran around a maze of screens on the weakside, ultimately popping free at the top of the key with Erin Toro setting the final pick, draining the wide-open jumper with nine seconds remaining.
The play was a work of art made necessary by what could only be kindly described as a rough first draft, going scoreless in the first quarter. Southwestern opened the game ice cold, shooting 0-for-15 from the field without a single free-throw attempt to spot Texas Lutheran a 13-0 lead.
Southwestern regained its composure in the second quarter with Fulendwider and Pratts, each shooting 2-for-5 to score six and five points, respectively, to knock two points off the deficit and trail 26-15 at the half.
Pratts took over in the third quarter, scoring 11 points on 4-for-7 shooting, opening the half with back-to-back layups, including an and-one possession. Her aggressiveness continued, drawing a pair of free throws to bring the Pirates back within three at 26-23. She followed with another jumper and a 3-pointer to bring Southwestern within two at 30-28.
On the other end, the Pirates finally managed to slow Texas Lutheran, limiting them to 4-for-18 shooting and just eight points in the quarter to trail 34-31, heading into the fourth.
Toro made a huge 3-pointer early in the fourth quarter to bring the Pirates within one, and Reece Sandercock put the Pirates ahead for the first time with an offensive rebound and layup to give Southwestern a 38-37 lead. After TLU retook the lead at 39-38, Fulenwider and Toro hit scored back-to-back baskets, including a Fulenwider 3-pointer, to give Southwestern a four-point lead.
A few possessions later, Abby Hroch tied the game off an assist from Jayla Santa Maria at 44-45. After empty possessions from both team, the Pirates called time out to set their final play, delivering the win.
Pratts and Fulenwider were the only Pirates in double figures, with the latter finishing with 12 points and six rebounds. Reece Sandercock missed another double-double performance by one point, finishing with nine points and 10 rebounds.
Santa Maria was the lone Texas Lutheran scorer in double figures with 15 points. Sydney Shaw had six points and 14 rebounds.
With the win, the Pirates improve to 2-6, dropping Texas Lutheran to 3-3. Southwestern will travel next weekend to face the University of Dallas on Friday, Feb 12, and Saturday, Feb. 13.
