Lady Bears Win in Double Overtime!

Tuesday November 5, 2024: Women's Basketball

Baton Rouge, LA

It was an exhilarating evening filled with suspense and skill. The Hinds Community College Lady Bulldogs faced off against the Baton Rouge Lady Bears in an intense basketball showdown at the Bears Den. The game showcased the determination and talent of both teams, culminating in a thrilling double overtime that saw the Lady Bears emerge victorious with a final score of 82-80, thanks to a dramatic buzzer-beater.

The first quarter set the tone for a competitive contest, as both teams exchanged leads and struggled to find offensive momentum. The Lady Bulldogs struck first, scoring four points to build an early lead. The Lady Bears responded with tenacity, tying the game at four through back-to-back baskets by standout players Shelcie LeBlanc and Akiyah Carnes. As the teams continued to trade baskets, Baton Rouge tied the game with a corner jumper from freshman forward Gabrielle Lathers, leveling the score at 6 with 4:50 remaining. The Lady Bulldogs capitalized on turnovers by the Lady Bears, converting them into transition points to take an 11-8 lead with three minutes left in the quarter. However, the Lady Bears finished strong, ending the quarter on a 5-2 run, highlighted by a buzzer-beater from Shelcie LeBlanc, which tied the game at 13.

The second quarter mirrored the competitiveness of the first, as both teams fought hard for control. The action was frantic, with three tie scores and four lead changes throughout the period. The Lady Bulldogs, fueled by a solid team effort, managed to finish the quarter strong, ultimately heading into halftime with a narrow 31-28 lead.

The game dynamics shifted in the third quarter, particularly for the Lady Bears, who struggled early on. The Lady Bulldogs seized the opportunity, surging to an eleven-point lead at 45-34 with just 4:25 remaining. However, the Bulldogs faced a scoring drought, and the Lady Bears capitalized, orchestrating an impressive run. With staunch defense and strategic offense, the Lady Bears narrowed the gap to 45-42 by the end of the quarter.

The momentum continued to shift as the fourth quarter began, with the Lady Bears taking control early. Akiyah Carnes scored a crucial put-back basket to tie the game,46-46 with 8:36 left. Both teams displayed incredible skill and resilience, trading baskets and maintaining a tight scoreline. As the clock wound down, the Lady Bulldogs held a slim lead of 58-53 with just two minutes to play. The Lady Bears showcased their determination, tying the game at 58 when Shelcie LeBlanc made a key steal and assisted McKenzie Deville for a layup. Soon after, Akiyah Carnes hit a mid-range shot, putting the Bears ahead 60-58 with only 13.7 seconds remaining. Hinds managed to tie the game again at 60, thanks to a put-back basket with six seconds left, forcing the game into overtime.

In the first overtime period, the intensity reached new heights. Both teams battled fiercely, with the lead changing hands frequently. With just 37.8 seconds left, the Lady Bulldogs held a fragile 72-67 lead. However, Shelcie LeBlanc, a standout performer, stepped up by sinking four consecutive free throws, bringing the Lady Bears within one point at 72-71 with 20 seconds to go. The Bulldogs answered with a clutch basket, extending their lead to 73-71. In a spectacular display of perseverance, sophomore forward J'Nyria Kelly tied the game at 73 after making a basket in the paint, pushing the contest into a second overtime.

The atmosphere in the gym was electric as the second overtime period began, but both teams started slowly, struggling to find the net for the first two minutes. The Hinds Lady Bulldogs broke through first, scoring a basket to take a 75-73 lead with three minutes left. The Lady Bears responded valiantly with two consecutive baskets from freshman guard McKenzie Deville, swinging the score to 77-75 with 2:25 remaining. A critical "and-one" play by Hinds allowed them to regain the lead at 78-77. The game remained neck-and-neck as Hinds extended their lead to 80-77 after a crucial steal and layup with 1:50 on the clock. Not to be outdone, the Lady Bears fought back, with Carlasia Moore hitting a sensational three-pointer from the wing to tie the game at 80 with 1:22 remaining. As the clock ticked down, Hinds had chances to break the tie but could not convert. Just as it seemed a third overtime loomed, Gabrielle Lathers found Shelcie LeBlanc open in the lane, and LeBlanc unleashed a remarkable off-balance shot at the buzzer, sealing the 82-80 victory for the Lady Bears.

In this thrilling contest, Shelcie LeBlanc was the standout player for the Lady Bears, leading the team with an impressive 26 points and achieving a double-double with 10 rebounds, along with contributing 2 assists and 4 steals. Myan Bartholemy was the top scorer for the Lady Bulldogs with 22 points. The Lady Bears did well overall, with three players scoring in double figures, while the Lady Bulldogs had four players reach that milestone.

With this hard-fought victory, the Lady Bears improved their season record to 1-1, and the Lady Bulldogs also stand at 1-1. Historically, the Baton Rouge Lady Bears lead the all-time series against the Hinds Lady Bulldogs with 8 wins and 3 losses.

Lady Bears Highlights:

Shelcie LeBlanc: 26 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals

Akiyah Carnes: 14 points, 4 rebounds

Frandreka Keller: 10 points, 4 steals

Kinsley James: 7 rebounds

Looking ahead, the Lady Bears will hit the road for the first time this season as they travel to Goodman, Mississippi, on Wednesday, November 13, to compete against the Holmes Community College Lady Bulldogs at 6 PM in the Frank Branch Coliseum.

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