#MustangsWin! Citty's Clutch Free Throws Lead CBC Past CRC!

Erik Holth, CBC Sports Information Director

            Paragould, Ark. – Caroline Citty's free throws with 5.6 seconds left in tonight's Central Baptist College women's basketball game against Crowley's Ridge College at the Carter Activities Center, provided the difference in a 56-55 victory for the Lady Mustangs (4-4) over the Pioneers (5-4). CBC led only four times in the contest and never by more than a point, as they overcame an 11-point halftime deficit to win.

            Lydia York was the only player in double figures scoring for CBC as she poured in 18 points on the evening. Keeping the ball out of the hands of the Pioneers was the key to the game as CBC committed only seven turnovers while forcing 16 of their own.

GAME FLOW

            Crowley's Ridge raced out to a 17-5 over the first 6:28 before a pair of free throws from Diana Rivera helped CBC end the first quarter on a 7-0 run to see them down 17-12 after one. The offense went cold in the second quarter, making just two field goals and scoring only six points to go into the half trailing 29-18.

            The Lady Mustangs scored the first six points of the second half thanks to layup by Caroline Citty from an offensive rebound, a three from York and a Rivera free throw. CRC pushed the lead back to 12 with a 7-0 run of their own with 6:10 left and 16 seconds later, York canned another three to make it 36-27 CRC with 5:54 left in the third. The Lady Mustangs continued to fight, as CRC stretched the lead back to 11 before a three from Citty made it 38-30. Two free throws from Citty with 3:50 left in the third made it 38-32 and a layup from Tamara Christmas with 2:20 left made it 38-34. Following a jumper by the Pioneers, York hit another three to make it 40-37 with 1:44 left in the third. CRC would hit a three with 25 seconds left and gave CBC a 43-37 deficit headed into quarter number four. The comeback began with Rhys Anderson's only points of the night on a jumper with 8:44 left and a three with 7:51 left to cut the deficit to 43-42. A three from CRC with 5:59 left made the deficit four again, and a pair of free throws 37 seconds later made it 48-42. A jumper from Emma Bates at the 5:08 mark made it 48-44 and a three from Olivia Lambrigtsen brought CBC to 48-47 with 4:07 left. Bates would give the Lady Mustangs the lead for the first time with a jumper at the 3:28 mark, but CRC seized the lead back on a three with 1:52 left. Trailing 51-49 with 1:34 left, Bates made a three, to give her seven points on the night, and make it 52-51 CBC. A CRC layup with 1:22 left made it 53-52 and York then sprinted down the court and put CBC back up 54-53 with 1:03 left. CRC would lead for the final time with 40 seconds left and CBC would get one final possession. With nine seconds left, York would miss a layup, but Citty grabbed the rebound and got fouled, making both of her free throws with 5.6 seconds left. CRC would get one last chance, but an offensive foul ended the game and gave CBC the come from behind win!

GAME NOTES

• CBC improved to 15-3 all-time against the Pioneers and have now won five straight in the series
• The Lady Mustangs are now 1-3 this season when trailing at halftime
• York's 18 points were her second highest output this season
• Citty grabbed 10 rebounds and barely missed her first career double-double, adding nine points
• CBC's seven turnovers were their fewest this season and the fewest since eight @ UHSP in January
• CBC was able to make 12 steals and kept CRC to only two
• The Lady Mustangs outscored the Pioneers 38-26 in the second half to seal the win

UP NEXT

            CBC returns to A.R. Reddin Fieldhouse on Saturday afternoon when they host the Patriots of Baptist Bible College in the final non-American Midwest Conference game of the season. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.