CLINTON, Miss. --- MC women's basketball went to overtime for the second time this season, but came up short as Valdosta State escaped with an 84-78 victory on Saturday, Feb. 14. MC moved to 9-15 on the season and 8-11 in Gulf South Conference action. The Blazers improved to 13-11 and 10-8 in the league.
 
The Choctaws managed a strong performance with 40 rebounds, but were outscored 12-6 in the extra period.
 
Nia Coleman led MC with 21 points, marking her second consecutive game with 20-plus points. She converted 12 of 16 free throws, achieving a season-high in free throws made, and collected 10 rebounds, matching her season-high total.
 
Ava Craddock contributed 14 points, hitting four 3-pointers and matching Coleman with 10 rebounds, which included a season-high of nine defensive rebounds. This game marked Craddock's second consecutive game scoring at least 14 points.
 
Mariam Olawoyin added 13 points, shooting 6-for-10 from the field and dishing out three assists. Karly Ivy and Keller Bigham each scored 11 points. Ivy went 5-for-14 from the floor and grabbing three rebounds, continuing her streak of recording at least 11 points in three consecutive games, while Bigham was 4 of 6, including three buckets from behind the arc.
 
MC and Valdosta State battled through a tightly contested first half, with the Choctaws taking a 21-19 lead after the opening quarter behind a 10-5 rebounding edge. VSU responded in the second, scoring 16 points in the paint to outpace MC 25-19 in the frame. Despite the Choctaws' perfect 6-for-6 effort at the free-throw line and three 3-pointers, the Blazers carried a 44-40 advantage into halftime.
 
MC answered with a defensive surge in the third quarter, holding VSU to just seven points while outscoring the Blazers 15-7 to reclaim a 55-51 lead. The Choctaws dominated the glass with 11 rebounds in the period, including a season-high eight from Brooklyn Wakefield, five of which came on the offensive end. MC capitalized on turnovers and second-chance opportunities to swing momentum heading into the final quarter.
 
The Red and Black regained control in the fourth, scoring 14 points in the paint and shooting 8-for-14 from the field to force a 72-all deadlock at the end of regulation. In overtime, MC struggled to convert, hitting just one of nine attempts from the floor. The Blazers sealed the victory at the free-throw line, knocking down eight of 10 in the extra period to secure the win.
 
Erin Whalen led the way for VSU with 26 points, including four 3-pointers, and securing 12 rebounds. Aryana Hicks followed with 17 points on an efficient 7-of-10 shooting, along with four assists. Rebecca Souverain added to the effort with 14 points and six rebounds, while recording two steals. Alina Sapilak was effective from the free-throw line, converting 6-of-7 attempts and finishing with 12 points.
 
MC returns to action on Thursday, Feb. 19 as it travels to the Music City to face Trevecca Nazarene. Tip-off is 5:30 p.m.
  Read Full Article