Weeks-led Women's Basketball falls 58-55 to Muskingum on last-second 3-pointer after erasing 10-point 3rd-quarter deficit

By Scott Beaton

NEW CONCORD — The Ohio Northern women's basketball team—led by a career-high 16 points, seven rebounds, and four steals from senior Abby Weeks (West Chester/Mount Notre Dame)—wiped away a 10-point third-quarter deficit to lead by five in the fourth quarter, but ultimately fell 58-55 to Muskingum on a 3-pointer with 2.1 seconds remaining at Performance Court Saturday afternoon.

The Polar Bears (10-3 overall, 4-2 OAC), trailing 58-55 with 2.1 seconds left, advanced the ball via a timeout. Weeks found junior Emily Brock (Akron/Revere) for a 3-point attempt, but the shot didn't go.

Sophomore Lexi Jacobs (Wapakoneta) added nine points for ONU, which also got eight points and six rebounds from junior Sydney Ward (Columbus/Upper Arlington).

Olivia Lang scored 11 points and hit the game-winner for the Muskies (3-8 overall, 1-5 OAC).

Muskingum raced to a 21-14 lead after 10 minutes of action.

Freshman Brynn Serbin (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny) knocked down a 3-pointer late in the second quarter to cut the MU advantage to 36-30 at the half.

The Muskies led 44-34 with 4:21 remaining in the third quarter.

Northern responded with a 20-5 run, sparked by a Brock 3-pointer and capped by a Ward layup, to lead 54-49 with 5:18 to go in regulation.

The game was scoreless for the next 92 seconds before an MU bucket.

Sophomore Kate Iliff (Lorain/Amherst Steele) split a pair at line to give ONU a 55-51 edge with 1:29 left.

Muskingum netted a lay-up and two free throws to tie the game 35 seconds before the final buzzer.

Finally, the Polar Bears turned the ball over with 11 seconds remaining, the Muskies nailed a 3-pointer, and ONU could not convert a potential game-tying 3-pointer to close the contest.

Ohio Northern was 23-for-63 (36.5%) from the floor and 5-for-25 (20.0%) on 3-pointers. Muskingum was 21-for-51 (41.2%) shooting and 10-for-25 (40.0%) from 3-point range.

The Polar Bears travel to Berea Wednesday for a 7 p.m. showdown with No. 14-ranked and OAC-leading Baldwin Wallace.