Franklin Springs, GA – The Emmanuel Women's Basketball team hosted UNC Pembroke this afternoon in conference action. It was a competitive contest from the start, with the Lions leading at the half, 25-23. The Lions pulled ahead in the 3^rd quarter, but the Braves rallied in the 4^th to tie things at the end of the regulation, 59-59 to force overtime. The teams traded points and the lead in OT, with the Braves coming on strong at the end to earn the 75-70 victory. With the loss, the Lions fall to 11-10 on the season, 6-9 in conference play. 

The Braves jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter, 5-2 but the Lions responded well behind points from Naomi Roberts and Natalee Goff to take the 8-7 lead with 6:38 to play in the first. A three-pointer from Lizzie Teasley and a jumper from Roberts pushed the Lions lead to 12-7 but the Braves responded to pull within a point of the lead, 15-14 with 2:28 to play. A three-pointer from Jaleia Robinson closed out the quarter with the Lions leading 17-14. In the first, the Lions shot 54% from the field, connecting on 3-6 from the foul line. 

The second quarter was a defensive battle with neither team getting things going on the offensive end. A three-pointer from Kate Jackson pushed the Lions lead to five points with 5:57 to play until the break, 21-16 but the Braves answered to pull within a point, 23-22. A layup by Roberts closed out the quarter with the Lions leading 25-22 heading into the break. 

After the half, the Lions came out strong on the offensive end with a quick six points from Goff to put the Lions up, 31-30. Midway through the quarter, layups from Jackson and Roberts pushed the Lions lead to seven, 38-31. The Braves would pull back within two points of the lead late, and the Lions led 42-40 after three. In the quarter, the Lions shot 46% from the field, 5-6 from the charity stripe.

In the fourth quarter, the two teams traded points and the lead. The Braves quickly tied the game at 42-42, but a quick seven points from Goff put the Lions up 49-46. The Braves took the lead to 2:03 to play, 55-54 but the Lions responded with a layup and free-throws from Goff to tie things at 59-59 to end regulation and force overtime.
The Lions took the lead early in OT on jumpers from Hannah Harris and Goff and free-throws from Roberts to make it 66-63, Lions. The Braves responded well to take the lead, but a jumper from Goff with 44 seconds remaining pushed the Lions ahead 70-69. The Braves outscored the Lions 6-0 in the final seconds to take the game, 75-70.

Natalee Goff led the Lions with 30 points and 6 rebounds, with Naomi Roberts adding 20 points and 5 assists.  Kate Jackson led the team in rebounds with 9. 

Next up, the Lions will travel to Banner Elk, NC to face Lees McRae on Saturday at 2PM. 

For more information on Emmanuel University athletics, visit goeulions.com.