St. Louis, MO – Epiphany Woodson scored a career-high 32 points but it was not enough as the Charlotte 49ers (15-12, A-10: 7-6) lost on a shot in the closing seconds, 70-69 at Saint Louis (10-18, A-10: 3-10).
“Epiphany Woodson played her best game of the season,” Charlotte coach Cara Consuegra. “In the last two games, she has found herself again. She is playing hard and taking good shots. I was pleased with our effort. We did things better tonight. Saint Louis is a tough team. We just have to get ready to protect our home court against Richmond on Sunday.”
Woodson became the first 49er to score 30 points since December 6, 2000 when Tonya Phifer scored 30 points against Appalachian State. Woodson went 12-14 from the free throw line. Jai Forney was the other 49ers in double-figures with 11 points. Jennifer Hailey recorded her 12th double-figure rebounding game of the season with 12 boards to lead the 49ers.
Charlotte’s bench behind the scoring of Woodson finished the game with a 40-12 advantage in bench points.
Saint Louis began the game by scored 10 of the first 12 points. Charlotte answered with a 7-2 run cutting Saint Louis lead to 12-9 after Hillary Sigmon connected on a three at the 12:12 mark. Ny Hammonds converted on two free throws cutting Saint Louis lead to 18-17 at the 8:27 mark.
Then, Saint Louis went on a 9-0 run over the next three minutes taking a 27-17 lead at the 6:25 mark. Charlotte scored 12 of the next 16 points cutting Saint Louis lead to 31-29 when Woodson connected on a jump shot at the 1:22 mark. Saint Louis scored with 52 seconds left in the first half to take a 33-29 halftime lead.
In the second half, the 49ers outscored Charlotte 20-15 at the start taking a 49-48 lead when Woodson converted two free throws with 8:01 on the clock. Sigmon connected on two free throws giving the 49ers their largest lead of the second half, 55-49 with 5:44 left in the second half.
Saint Louis scored 10 of the next 14 points taking a 59-57 lead when Desirae Ball converted two free throws with 25 seconds left in the second half. Woodson converted a layup at the buzzer sending the game into overtime tied at 59.
In the overtime, Charlotte behind the scoring of Woodson and Forney pushed their lead to 68-63 with 36 seconds left in the overtime. Saint Louis outscored the 49ers 7-1 the remainder of the game. With the 49ers leading 69-68, Saint Louis’ Ball scored on a layup with one second on the clock giving Saint Louis the 70-69 overtime win.
Charlotte returns to Halton Arena where they will play Richmond in their final regular-season game, Sunday, February 26 at 2 pm.
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