Miami Shores, FL – Bluefield State University women's basketball fell to Barry University in overtime 56-54 at the Health & Sports Center on Sunday.
Gabrielle Thomas led all scorers with 15 points followed by Rori Cox with 11 points and six rebounds. Dani Janutolo and Alexus Tucker both came away with seven points, with Janutolo adding nine rebounds.
The Big Blue got on the board first off of a three from Essence Cowan. With three minutes left in the first quarter, a three from Thomas put the Big Blue up by six. Barry answered with six of their own to tie it at 12, but another three from Cowan with 38 seconds left took the Big Blue into the second half with the three-point lead. Barry opened the second quarter to build up a six-point lead. After maintaining that lead for majority of the quarter, a trip to the line for Rori Cox cut the deficit to four before going into the half.
After back-to-back layups from Barry, Katrina Davis answered with two of her own for the Big Blue. Three fouls by Barry sent Big Blue Thomas, Janutolo and Davis to the line to pull the Big Blue within two. Barry hit a three in the final minute of the quarter, but a layup from Tucker cut the lead to three going into the final quarter. A quick three from Azariah Binford brought the Big Blue even at 38. The Big Blue took their first lead of the quarter after a midrange jumper by Cox. Four consecutive points put Barry up by three with ten seconds remaining, but a three from Tucker tied it up at 48 to force overtime.
A three from Janutolo put the Big Blue on top, but Barry answered to take back the lead. A free throw from Cox evened the score at 52 with one minute remaining. Barry went ahead by two, but Thomas answered for the Big Blue with 13 seconds left. After a Barry timeout, they took the lead at the four second mark and the Big Blue could not convert on their final position, falling to Barry University 56-54.
Up Next
The Big Blue will compete at Nova Southeastern University Monday, December 19th at 12 p.m.
