Banner Elk, North Carolina - The University of Mount Olive women's basketball team defeated Lees-McRae 63-62 in overtime in Conference Carolinas action Saturday afternoon. UMO improves to 17-6 overall and 14-5 in the conference, while Lees-McRae fall to 9-19, 5-14.

INSIDE THE SCORE
Mount Olive started off the game with a quick seven points. Lees McRae came back with six points of their own but still trailing 7-6 at the 6:44 mark. The Trojans finished up the first quarter with an 11 point run ending the first quarter 18-10.

In the second quarter, the Trojans continued to fight Nichols made two three-point shots within 1:15 to help lead the Trojans to a 24-12 lead. Both teams fought hard but Mount Olive's offense came alive and took a fourteen point lead to finish off the second quarter 40-22.

The third quarter began with a Trojan basket putting them up 42-22 with 9:26 remaining left in the game. Lees-McRae found their hot hand and scored nine points with 4:49 remaining in the quarter but still trailing 44-31. Both teams played aggressively but Mount Olive ended the quarter not surrendering the lead 49-43.

In the final quarter, Mount Olive's offense continued to play strong and put four more points up to keep the lead 53-50 at the 5:23 mark. Lees-McRae bounced back and tied the game with 1:20 left in the game 56-56. Both teams weren't able to break the tie and ended the game 56-56 going into overtime.

OVERTIME
Lees-McRae began to battle back and made the first shot at the 3:45 mark taking the lead 57-56. The Trojans answered back with a free throw by Jada Bacchus at the 3:35 mark and tied the game again at 58-58. Mount Olive's Azariah Fields then made three free-throws to bring the deficit to one, 62-61 with 33 seconds remaining. As the seconds closed Sherry Johnson hit the winning shot for the Trojans clinching the 63-62 win for UMO as the final horn sounded.

MOUNT OLIVE LEADERS
The Trojans were led by Sherry Johnson with 13 points. Azariah Fields, Ivanda Hudjakova, Makayla Nichols all had double-digit scoring performances with 12,10, and 10 points respectively.

LEES-MCRAE LEADERS
Lees-McRae was led by Tiana Shuff with 19 points. Destiny Johnson and Jala Holloman all had double-digit scoring performances with 13 and 11 points.

KEY MOMENT
The key moment of the game was in overtime when Sherry Jonson finished the game with a buzzer-beater layup to win the game for the Trojans.

UP NEXT
Mount Olive will Continue on the road as they take on Barton College in Wilson, North Carolina February 19 at 5:30 P.M.