Bryan team poses with trophy and bracket after their win over University of Pikeville.(Photo:GaryBolden)

Bryan Beats University of Pikeville in OT 90-86: Runs Season Record to 32-1

3/12/22

Dayton, TN -- Bryan College entertained University of Pikeville in women's basketball with prize a spot in sweet 16 of NAIA tournament. Bryan ran their season record to 32-1, a new record for wins by Bryan women's basketball.

Bryan began game with 8-2 run in first three minutes, with Gracee Dishman provideing all 8 points with two 3 point baskets and a layup. Lions improved on the lead as they pushed the lead to 16-6 with 3:37 left in first quarter after two Dishman free throws. Shayla Ludy and DeAndra Luna hit 3 points baskets to give Bryan a 22-9 lead with 2:25 left in first and Bryan ended quarter with 24-12 lead.

Bryan continued to extend the lead in early second quarter and a Samantha Russell three point basket put the lead at 17 points(largest lead of the night) with 35-18 lead. By the end of the second quarter, Sierra Feltner, who scored 32 points on the night for the Bears had 7 points in the last three minutes to lead the comeback.

Mary Englert had all 8 points for the Bears as they cut the lead to 50-42 with 6:49 left in third quarter. Teams traded baskets over the next five minutes and Lions were sitting at 8 point lead with 58-50 lead at 2:15 mark of third. Over the next two minutes, Pikeville outscored the Lions 8-0 for the tie at end of three quarters. Morgan Stamper had the last four points for the Bears.

In the fourth, Lions took early lead before LeeAnna McNulty and Baily Frazier hit back to back baskets to give Bears 69-64 lead with just over four minutes remaining in regulation. Dishman and Hennessee led the Lions back to within 71-70 at 1:38 mark of the game before Baily Frazier's basket put Bears up 73-70 at 49 second mark of the game. Gracee Dishman countered a Englert free thrwo for the 74-74 score at end of regulation.

Feltner scored the first six points of the overtime for Bears and was countered by Luna 3-point basket for 80-77 Pikeville lead early in overtime. Later in overtime, Gracee Dishman hit both free throws for 84-84 scored with 1:22 left in game but Feltner countered with layup for 86-84 lead with 1:10 left in overtime. That would be the end of scoring for Bears and Luna scored the last six points of game on a 3-point basket and three free throws downt the stretch and Lions were headed to sweet 16,

Gracee Dishman led Bryan with 24 points. Kaitlynn Hennessee and Deandra Luna scored 19 and 15 as the other Lions in double digits. Karli Combs and Destiny Kassner had 9 and 7 to complete scoring for starters. Samanthat Russell led reserves with 7 points and Shayla Ludy, Maci Pitner and Torie Brooks each contributed three points. Lions hit 31-73 from field with 14-34 performance from 3-point line. They hit 70% on 14-20 from line. Morgan Stamper of Pikeville had 10 rebounds to lead both teams as Bears won rebound battle 47-38. Dishman and Luna had 6 rebound each to lead Lions. Very few turnovers on the night with six by Bryan and seven by Pikeville. Feltner had 32 points to lead all scorers on 14-26 shooting from field with 2-6 night from 3-point range. Bailey Frazier and Mary Englert had 17 and 15 to score in double figures for Pikeville. Pikeville hit 33-76 from the field, but only 7-22 from 3-point range, the difference in the game. Bryan pushed record to 32-1 on the season and University of Pikeville's record fell to 19-14.

The Lady Lions are the No. 4 seed in the Duer Quadrant, and they will take on the No. 1 seed Thomas More University on Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. EST in the Tyson Event Center.

In the locker room first year head coach Bryon Lawhon said, "I never doubted it for a second. I knew who I got in this locker room. I knew who we were going to war with every night."

"I get to come in and work with the greatest group of girls every single day. I was told a long time ago. love your job, and you'll never work a day of your life. That's not even close because of you. What happened has not been just this year. It has been five years in the making."