CONWAY, S.C. – Deaja Richardson and
Alancia Ramsey each scored 23 points to lead Coastal Carolina, but it was not enough as Charleston survived a furious rally by the Chanticleers to escape with an 84-83 overtime win in a non-conference women's basketball game Saturday afternoon at the HTC Center.
Coastal trailed by 16 points early in the fourth quarter at 65-49, before the Chanticleers went on a 16-2 run to cut the margin to 71-70. A three-pointer by Richardson tied things at 73-73 in the final minute of regulation, and then Ramsey made a pair of free throws to send the contest into overtime at 75-75.
Ramsey was the answer again in overtime, as she converted from close range to give Coastal its first lead of the afternoon, 77-75. But Jada Logan registered the game-winner with a floater in the lane with 40 seconds left. Coastal had the final possession but could only muster a desperation three-pointer at the buzzer that, was well off the mark.
Richardson and Ramsey were helped by frontline player
Makaila Cange, who had 12 points and 12 rebounds. Ramsey, who had a season-high with her 23 points, also had 11 rebounds. Point guard
Arin Freeman contributed 11 points, all in the second half, and triggered the late comeback with two assists and three steals. The loss leaves Coastal at 4-4 for the season.
Guards Jenna Annecchiarico and Jada Logan combined for 48 points to propel Charleston to its fourth win in a row to put the Cougars at 5-1 on the year.
Logan scored seven points in the first five minutes of action as Charleston jumped out to a 21-8 lead, its largest advantage of the first half. But Coastal recovered in the second quarter with Richardson scoring five points in a 7-0 run, and Cange hitting for three in a 5-0 run. Another inside bucket from Cange brought the Chants to within a point, at 31-30, before Logan added five more points to help the Cougars take a 41-32 lead a t the half.
Cange led Coastal at the break with 11 points, while Richardson had seven points before sitting out most of the second quarter with two fouls. CCU's Freeman was silent in the first half, as she picked up three quick fouls in just five minutes of action. The Cougars' Annecchiarico and Logan combined for 21 points for Charleston.
College of Charleston added the first six points to start the third quarter to take a 15-point advantage at 47-32. But Coastal was not done fighting back, as the Chants used a 16-2 run to start the final quarter to make it 71-70 heading into the final two minutes.
Coastal and Charleston were almost even in field goals and three-point makes, but the difference was at the free throw line, where Coastal made just 14-of-27 attempts (51.9 percent). In contrast, Charleston made 27-of-32 (84.4 percent).
Coastal now heads to play at Alabama on Wednesday, Dec. 6, before returning home to host UNC Pembroke at 2 p.m. (ET) next Sunday, Dec. 10.
For complete coverage of CCU women's basketball, follow the Chants on social media @CoastalWBB (Twitter), facebook.com/CCUChanticleers (Facebook), @GoCCUSports (Instagram), or visit the official home of Coastal Carolina Athletics at www.GoCCUsports.com.
