Fouls and Free-Throws Play a Factor in OT Loss

Westcliff women's basketball team was the host as they tried to take down the number one team in the conference, the University of Antelope Valley.

The Warriors had this game circled in their calendar because of their last meeting which was a bitter loss.

This game didn't disappoint but after going into overtime, the Warriors couldn't overcome the hurdle and lost, 73-70.

The atmosphere and intensity of the game gave the impression of two rivals going at it, and maybe after this one, it will be.

Through the first 10 minutes, everything was even.

In the second quarter, fouls started to play a major factor in the game with nine from Westcliff and seven from Antelope Valley.

The high number of fouls slowed the game down which sometimes made it difficult for the Warriors to build any momentum.

In the second quarter alone, Westcliff attempted 10 free throws compared to 17 from Antelope Valley.

There was very little separation between both teams as the Warriors went into half-time down 33-31.

For much of the third quarter they kept on responding to every basket from Antelope Valley and Westcliff found themselves down 47-45 going into the fourth.

The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth battle as one team would score, and the other would reply with a basket of their own.

Free throws became a factor again with eight from Westcliff and seven from Antelope Valley.

The game came down to the wire with nine seconds to play and the score even, 60-60.

Then Katie Nguyen was fouled after driving to the basket with eight seconds left and only one time-out for Antelope Valley left on the board.

Nguyen would go to the free throw line with the chance to give her team the lead with only a few seconds left.

The best outcome would have been making both free throws. But in a situation like this, you just want to get a basket and put pressure on the other team with very little time left.

Nguyen missed both free throws and the fourth quarter ended sending us to overtime.

This was the first overtime of the season for the Warriors.

Antelope Valley was the first to score in extra time but Westcliff responded well and took the lead 68-65, with two minutes left.

But again, free throws were a factor in the last couple of seconds in overtime and Antelope Valley was able to make enough.

After going the distance, the Warriors were left with the loss that sets them back from the goal of taking the number one spot.

It was a battle that was impacted by free throws and fouls with 28 fouls for Westcliff and 24 for Antelope Valley.

With the loss, the Warriors' plans of moving up in the standings are delayed and they will stay in the third spot with an overall record of (11-6) and a conference record of (8-3).

Up next, they will visit La Sierra on Jan. 28.

Tip-off will be at 6:15 PM.