Ravens Women's Basketball accomplished something no other Heart team had been able to do this season and did so in thrilling fashion.
The Ravens knocked off the Clarke University Pride, 66-64, at home in overtime Saturday afternoon, handing the Pride their first conference defeat of the season.
The teams entered overtime tied 59-59. Ali Brzozowski's basket in the paint gave the Ravens a 63-62 lead with 4 minutes left on the clock, but the Pride answered with two free throws to re-take the lead. Skylar Washington responded for the Ravens, knocking down a jumper in the paint to give the Ravens a 65-64 lead.
With less than 30 seconds to play, Aaliyah Raines played strong defense, forcing a Pride missed shot and Raines grabbed the rebound. After the Pride fouled Natalie Smaron, the senior knocked down a free throw to give the Ravens a 2-point lead with 12.7 seconds to play. As it had for most of the game, the Ravens defense denied Clarke a good look at the basket, securing the win over the No. 10-ranked Pride.
The Pride entered Saturday's contest with a 21-2 record overall, and 12-0 in Heart Conference play, averaging 76 points per game, and their offense showed off its ability in the opening 10 minutes. Clarke took a 22-14 lead after one quarter of play, scoring inside and out. The Pride had 10 points in the paint in the first quarter to go along with three 3-pointers.
The Ravens weren't as hot in the first quarter, shooting 4-of-14, but they did knock down a pair of 3-pointers to remain in reasonable distance of the Pride.
The Ravens pulled to within 5 points midway through the second quarter, 25-20, forcing a Clarke timeout. However, the Pride closed out the quarter on a 10-4 run to take a 35-24 lead into halftime.
The Ravens shot 31% from the field in the first half while the Pride knocked down 46.2% from the field. A big difference came behind the 3-point line as the Pride made 4-8 attempts and the Ravens managed just 2-12 behind the line.
The game's momentum turned in the second half as the Ravens dominated the third quarter, opening with an 8-0 run that included two 3-pointers by Washington. The Pride pushed their lead back to 42-34, but Washington and Raines answered with back-to-back triples to cut Clarke's lead to 2 points midway through the quarter.
Later in the third, Raines drove to the basket, made the bucket, and was fouled with just under 3 minutes to play in the third. With the free throw the Ravens knotted the score, 43-43. Natalie Smaron put the Ravens in front with a pair of free throws a minute later. They closed out the third quarter on a 16-4 run to take a 50-45 lead into the fourth quarter.
The Pride tied the game, 52-52, but Washington's baseline jumper put the Ravens back up 54-52 with 6 minutes to play. Neither team scored for two minutes when a Clarke free throw trimmed the Ravens lead to 54-53. On the ensuing possession, Kennedy Nicholson knocked down her third 3-pointer of the game to push the Ravens lead to 57-53 with 3:29 to play.
As good teams do, the Pride responded. Clarke scored 6-straight to take a 59-57 lead. With 55 seconds on the clock, Washington drove to the paint to tie the game. On Clarke's next possession, Smaron stole the Pride pass into the paint, giving the Ravens the ball back with the shot clock turned off.
Smaron found Washington on a backdoor pass with 9 seconds left. Washington absorbed contact on the shot, but no foul was called. The Pride got the rebound but missed a last-second heave near midcourt, sending the game to overtime where the Ravens prevailed.
The Ravens finished the game shooting 37.3% from the field and 29.6% from 3-point range, but hit six crucial 3-pointers in the second half. The Pride shot 28.6% from the field in the second half as the Ravens defense took control of the game.
Washington led all scorers with 18 points. She was joined in double-figures by Nicholson's 13 points, Raines's 12 points, and Smaron's 11.
The Ravens are now 17-6, 9-4 in Heart play and have won four-straight games. Saturday's result snaps Clarke's 18-game win streak.
The Ravens will finish up a three-game homestand on Wednesday, Feb. 2 at 5:30 p.m. against Central Methodist University.
