Eutectics come back from 12 down only to fall late to Brescia

OWENSBORO, KY – Quite a 24-hour turnaround for the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy. A day after getting blown out in their season opener, the Eutectics were in a nail-biter against the Brescia Bearcats as UHSP was a missed three-pointer away from pulling out a win. The Bearcats survived in a 67-65 down-to-the-wire contest at the Moore Center Gym on Saturday night.

After falling behind in the season opener 11-0 to start the game, the Eutectics this time scored the game's first six points just over three minutes in against Brescia. Reece Halley scored six first-quarter points for the Purple and Gold and Montasia McAllister knocked down a three, but the Cats managed to tie the game at 11 by the end of the first quarter.

Brescia would open the second quarter by scoring the first six points with Sara Hameed breaking a 2:15 scoreless drought with a couple of free throws to make the score 17-13. Brescia extended the lead to seven with 1:31 left on a Brooklyn Stewart free throw to take a 30-23 advantage. Karsyn Morgan and Amelia Mackey would trade three to close the quarter as Brescia led 33-26 at the half.

A couple of quick buckets to begin the third extended the Cats lead to a dozen at 38-26. UHSP would go on a 12-5 run after that to close the gap to 43-38 with 3:20 remaining. Trailing by six with just over two minutes to go, Halley buried a three and the Eutectics were in a one-score game at 47-44 to the fourth quarter as the two clubs went scoreless over the final 2:01.

Morgan had a pair of free throws to open the fourth and then another Halley triple gave them their first lead since 11-9 with 1:01 to go in the first quarter. Halley connected from deep :50 seconds into the fourth to put UHSP in front 49-47 as she led the club in scoring with 23 points on the night. Another Halley three tied it at 56-56 and a couple McAllister foul shots evened things at 59-59 with 2:46 to play. Trailing by two late, Da'Naiyah Darnell hit a jumper to tie the game at 65-65 with :11 seconds left. After a Brescia timeout, Joe Jordan would get fouled and hit a couple free throws giving Brescia a 67-65 lead. Morgan missed a three at the buzzer that would have given UHSP the win.

Montasia McAllister had 20 points and six rebounds for UHSP while Halley had a double-double with ten boards. Brooklyn Stewart came off the bench to lead Brescia in scoring with 17 points. The Bearcats shot 46.7% while UHSP connected at 37.5%. The Eutectics hoisted 22 foul shots making 17 while Brescia was 8-for-13 from the charity stripe. Brescia outrebounded UHSP 40-29. After committing 28 turnovers the day before, UHSP had 15 against the Cats while Brescia had 19. The Cats dominated in the paint outscoring UHSP 48-22 in the lane.

Up next for UHSP (0-2) is their home opener as the Eutectics host Missouri Valley (2-0) next Saturday at 1:00pm at the UHSP Gymnasium.