BEREA, KENTUCKY — The Mount St. Joseph University women's basketball team defeated Berea College 72-64 in the opening round of the HCAC tournament on the road Saturday afternoon.
The Lions came out strong, with Morgan Jenkins scoring on her first two attempts from the floor, giving the Mount a 5-0 early lead. The teams traded buckets back and forth for the rest of the quarter, with the Lions leading 13-9 after one. Jenkins led the Lions with 7 first-quarter points.
Four minutes into the second quarter, the Mount extended their lead to 7 at 21-14 off a Hailey Guingrich jumper. Berea would go on a 13-4 run to end the half. Karlee Mills was fouled on a three-point attempt and knocked down all three free throws to cut into the Mountaineers' lead to end the half. The Lions went into halftime trailing 27-25, led by Bella Crawford, who scored 7 second-quarter points.
Less than three minutes into the third quarter, the Mount took a 1-point lead off a Morgan Jenkins jumper. Berea briefly regained the lead, but Bella Crawford knocked down a three-pointer, and Karlee Mills scored back-to-back layups, giving the Mount a 6-point lead at 42-36. Ali Winchester hit a jumper at the buzzer, and the Mount went into the fourth quarter with a 45-42 lead. Jenkins led the Lions in the third quarter with 11 points.
The fourth quarter saw multiple lead changes. At the 1:23 mark, Hailey Guingrich made a layup to tie the game at 56-56. The Mountaineers responded with a free throw, but Guingrich answered with another layup, giving the Mount a 1-point lead with 26 seconds left. Morgan Jenkins added a free throw, but at the buzzer, Berea hit a jumper to tie the game at 59-59. Jenkins led the Lions in the fourth quarter with 9 points.
In overtime, the Mount scored 8 straight points, taking a 67-59 lead. The Lions added four free throws and a layup to seal the win at 72-64. Jenkins led the Mount in overtime with 6 points.
The Lions were led by Morgan Jenkins, who scored a season- and career-high 28 points, going 3-for-5 from beyond the arc and bringing down 8 rebounds. Bella Crawford added 14 points and 7 rebounds. Karlee Mills finished with 13 points, 9 assists, and 8 rebounds. Hailey Guingrich contributed 12 points and 7 rebounds.
UP NEXT: The Lions will travel to Lexington, Kentucky, on Friday, February 27, to face Transylvania University in the HCAC tournament semifinals. Tipoff time is to be announced.
