JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - Down three points with 62 seconds remaining in regulation in hostile territory, Newberry appeared to be in trouble. A charge call on Carson-Newman's Ashley Tipton on the previous play was reversed by the officiating crew, resulting in junior forward Tonique Frasier's fourth foul and two Lady Eagle free throws.
But appearances can be deceiving and despite all odds, Newberry rallied for a fantastic finish. With the shot clock winding down, junior guard Monica Alexander knifed into the paint and somehow found the bottom of the net all while drawing a foul on Carson-Newman's Casha Foster with just 45 seconds left.
Now within one point, 65-64, a calm, cool Alexander stepped to the line and converted the old-fashioned three-point play despite a raucous Carson-Newman fan base.
Neither team could cash in on late second period opportunities with Newberry and the nationally ranked Carson-Newman Lady Eagles continuing the battle in overtime.
The Lady Indians, ignited by the late comeback, struck for the first six points of the extra session. Two free throws from senior forward Tygress Hope gave Newberry a 71-65 lead.
However, the Lady Eagles would storm back with four unanswered points with buckets from both Tipton and Shari Buford, closing the gap to two points, 71-69, with 1:55 remaining.
On the scarlet and gray's next possession, the Lady Indians milked the clock, taking the shot clock down to one second before Tiffany Smalls drained a long range jumper from the far-side corner to gain a four point edge.
Carson-Newman would not come any closer in the final 1:25 and the Lady Indians downed 5-of-6 free throws down the stretch en route to a 79-73 victory at the Holt Fieldhouse.
"The difference tonight was our players ability to exhibit a calm determination despite playing in a hostile environment," said head coach Jason Brink, "I am very proud of the maturity and composure our team displayed tonight, particularly in the overtime period."
Newberry improved to 18-2 on the season and 7-2 in the South Atlantic Conference and extended it's winning streak to seven games. By beating Carson-Newman (16-4, 6-3 SAC), Newberry moved into a tie with Wingate University for first place in the SAC.
Coach Brink received an outstanding performance from Tonique Frasier, Monica Alexander, and Ashlee Wright. The trio of juniors combined for 65 of 79 points.
Frasier, a native of Walterboro, led all scorers with 26 points on 10-of-13 shooting from the field, coming off the bench. The 6-0 post player also nabbed six rebounds and handed out two assists in 34 minutes.
Alexander totaled 20 points with half coming from the charity stripe. The Norcross, Ga. native hit 10-of-12 opportunities from the free throw line and also assisted on three scores in a season-high 39 minutes.
Ashlee Wright picked up 19 points, knocking down 7-of-14 field goals, while also snagging six boards in 34 minutes. Wright was also proficient at the charity stripe hitting 5-of-6 free throws.
"While credit is due to our three junior leaders," said Brink. "We couldn't have won this game without the contribution from our bench."
Ashley Marine rose off the pine for six points and Tiffany Smalls had four.
Carson-Newman featured three double-digit scorers with forward Shari Butler posting a double-double. Butler totaled 22 points and 14 rebounds.
Ashley Tipton had 15 points and Cassie Burks had 14, nine coming in the first half.
Both squads shot well from the field with Carson-Newman 47.5 percent and Newberry just under 51 percent. Newberry also cashed in on 13-of-16 chances at the free throw line.
The Lady Indians return to Newberry this Saturday with a 2 p.m. match-up with Mars Hill College. In the first meeting of the season, Mars Hill handed Newberry 74-62 loss in North Carolina. Since that game the Lady Indians have won seven straight conference games.
