Led by senior Emily Carrillo, the University of La Verne earned a spot in the SCIAC Postseason Tournament with a thrilling 78-77 overtime triumph over the University of Redlands on Senior Night at Frantz Athletic Court.
Carrillo collected 29 points including the game-winning jumper with three seconds left in the overtime session to best the Bulldogs.
As a result, La Verne (12-13, 9-5 SCIAC) reaches the SCIAC Postseason Tournament for the third time in four years, earning the #4 seed. The Leopards will meet top-seed Occidental on Friday in Eagle Rock. The victory allowed the Leopards to avenge a 82-56 defeat to the Bulldogs back on January 20 in Redlands.
Redlands led 77-74 in overtime and had possession in the final minute before Kelly Kika's steal and layup closed the deficit to 77-76 with 45 seconds remaining. The Leopards stopped Redlands on the ensuing possession and had the ball with 13 seconds to play. Carrillo penetrated and lifted a short jumper over two Bulldog defenders to score the game-winner.
The Bulldogs (16-9, 12-4 SCIAC) trailed 58-49 with 8:07 to play in the second half before closing within a point at 67-66 with 1:13 remaining in regulation. A three-pointer from Mariah Barbetti-Cort put the Bulldogs up 69-67 with 27 seconds to play. Undaunted, Carillo forced overtime with a short jumper with five seconds left to knot the contest at 69-69.
In the first half, Redlands led 27-16 before La Verne closed on a 13-6 run to trail 33-29 at the break. The Leopards continued their momentum after intermission embarking on a 14-5 spurt to grab a 43-37 before eventually stretching the lead to nine points.
La Verne shot 42.4% from the field but made 11 of 25 (44.0%) three-point attempts in the victory. The Leopards also converted 13 of 16 free throw attempts (81.3%).
Carrillo connected on 12 of her 22 field goal attempts and went 4-5 from the free throw line to lead the Leopards in scoring for the eighth time in the last nine games. Kelly Kika contributed 10 points for the Leos.
Barbetti-Court led all scorers with a game-high 32 points, finishing 12-17 from the field including 4-5 from three-point range. Allison Clark and Courtney Carroll added 14 points each.
Before the game the Leopards honored the quartet of Carrillo, Ashley Paul, Mayra Duenas and Nicole Wandler as part of the Senior Night festivities. Paul, who finished with 6 points, hit a three-pointer in the first half to become the Leopards' all-time leader in treys with 193.
La Verne will face Occidental in one SCIAC Semifinal Friday at 5:00 pm at Rush Gymnasium in Eagle Rock. Oxy won both meetings, earning a 72-67 win at home on January 13 and 78-69 at La Verne on February 10.
