A game tying 3 pointer by Avrie Schmidt with 2 seconds remaining in regulation time propelled the Lincoln Land women’s basketball team to an exciting 76-73 overtime victory over Union County. Schmidt’s heroics came after the Loggers overcame a 9 point deficit early in the third period.
Defense was the dominant factor early in the contest. Neither team could really get a good offensive flow. After a back and forth first quarter, Union County, out of New Jersey, held a close 12-10 lead. Lincoln Land shot a dismal 20% from the field while going 19% from behind the arc.
The second quarter saw each team starting to heat up scoring wise. Once again Union was able to outscore the Loggers 16-15 in the frame for a slim 28-25 halftime advantage. Megan Harrell, Marley Smith and Avrie Schmidt each scored 6 first half points for Lincoln Land.
Freshmen Sam Lindhorst and Durbin Thomas came alive offensively in the third period. Lindhorst scored 8 points followed by Thomas’ 5 points. However, Union was still able to extend the lead by 1 point for a 44-40 lead entering the fourth quarter.
The final frame saw both team catching fire offensively. Lincoln Land was able to tie the contest midway through the frame. Both teams battled back and forth until Union hit a bucket to go up three with around 7 seconds remaining. Lincoln Land was able to call timeout to advance the ball and set up a last ditch effort to tie. On the ensuing in bounds pass, trailing 67-64, Marley Smith received the pass. She immediately reversed the ball to an open Avrie Schmidt who buried the game tying shot with 2 seconds remaining in regulation. Union was unable to convert the long shot attempt and the game went into overtime. Lincoln Land was able to outscore Union 27-23 in the fourth for the 67-67 tie.
The overtime saw the Loggers step up defensively while Marley Smith took over on the offensive end. Smith registered 6 points in the 5 minute overtime period as Lincoln Land was able to outscore the Owls 9-6 for the 76-74 tournament victory.
Marley Smith and Megan Harrell each recorded a double/double. Smith finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Harrell went for 15 points and 12 rebounds. Unfortunately, Megan suffered a bad ankle injury on the final play of the game. Durbin Thomas hit three 3 pointers to finish with 13 points. Avrie Schmidt had 16 points and 9 rebounds while Sam Lindhorst had 12 points, 7 assists and 6 steals.
Lincoln Land advances to the Elite 8 in the National Tournament and will face #1 Johnson County on Thursday, March 21at 5:00.
