(RUSSELLVILLE, Ark.) — The fifth-ranked Jennies overcame a 10-point deficit in the second half to shock the Arkansas Tech Golden Suns, 82-68 at Tucker Coliseum on Sunday afternoon.
In a game that saw 13 ties and 10 lead changes, UCM (6-1) rallied after trailing 51-41 to outscore Arkansas Tech (4-1), 41-17 in the final 17:42. After a back-and-forth first half, the Jennies went into the locker room at intermission behind by five. Keuna Flax led UCM with 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting at halftime. The offense shot just 39.4% from the field and commited eight turnovers in the first 20 minutes of play.
Flax opened the second half converting on a layup, but missed the ensuing free throw to miss out on a three-point play to cut Arkansas Tech’s lead to eight. Shelby Winkelmann would hit a three, followed by another layup by Flax to pull UCM to within 51-48.
Following a turnover by the Golden Suns, Winkelmann found BreAnna Lewis who sank a three to knot the game at 51 apiece with 15:50 left in the game.
Central Missouri re-gained the lead at 58-55 with 11:41 remaining, but the Golden Suns worked to take a 61-60 lead with 8:06 remaining.
Brielle Wattley hit a three-pointer with 7:47 left to give the Jennies a 63-61 edge, but Arkansas Tech responded on the ensuing possession with a layup by Cara Neighbors.
The Jennies took the lead for good with 6:57 in the game thanks to a layup by Danielle Barry. The lead reached double-figures nearly five minutes later when Breonna Embraynailed a three-pointer as the shot clock expired, providing UCM with a 79-67 lead. Central Missouri held Arkansas Tech to one point over the final 1:58.
Central Missouri shot 43.1% from the field on 28-of-65 shooting, but was able to turn in a 46.9% shooting percentage in the game’s second half to complete the comeback. UCM outscored Arkansas Tech, 45-26 in the second half.
Flax led the Jennies in scoring for the sixth time in seven games with 19 points to go along with seven rebounds. Wattley added 16 while Revonnia Howard and Winkelmann each chipped in 11.
UCM scored 17 points off turnovers and added 14 second-chance points to Arkansas Tech’s six.
The Jennies will open MIAA play when they host Fort Hays State on Thursday, Dec. 5 for a 5:30 tip-off.
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