Lady Bucs Cage Panthers In OT, 95-86
By Rori Eddie

Memphis--Paced by Sarah Condra’s game-high 33 points, the Christian Brothers University women’s basketball made it 2001-2002 regular season debut in exciting fashion: a 95-86 come-from-behind overtime victory over Kentucky Wesleyan College.

Faced with an early 24-9 deficit, the Lady Bucs fought to a 40-44 halftime score, before Condra exploded in the second half for 24-points, including an 8-of-12 night from behind the three-point arc.

"Sarah just put us on her shoulders and carried us to victory," head coach Todd Schaefer said after the game. "She stepped up and wanted the basketball."

In a game that featured 18 lead changes and six tied scores, the Lady Bucs outshot the Panthers 47-to-43 percent from the floor and 52 to a dismal 18 percent from three-point land.

CBU outscored KWC 15-6 in the overtime period to clinch its first "W" of the season. The Panthers fall to 0-1 in the early season.

In her first collegiate regular season game, CBU starting guard, Rubenia Finley, won over the De LaSalle crowd with her positive attitude and energetic play, while adding 15 points to the Lady Buc cause. Teammate Amonica Wiggins also matched 15 points on the night to pair with her team-high nine rebounds. Senior Mary Buford iced a perfect 6-of-6 attempts from the free throw line to finish with 14 points.

Lydia Purvis collected a team-high 23 points for KWC, while Kami Vaal added 17 points in the Panther loss.

"I’m proud of the way this team fought," Schaefer concluded. "It says a lot about where we are."

The Lady Bucs will return to the hardwood Tuesday night in a road match-up with Missouri-St. Louis at 5:30 PM.