Koala Women Win Thriller in 2OT on Buzzer-Beater

COLUMBIA, SC - The Columbia College Lady Koala basketball team won a double-overtime thriller Tuesday night on a buzzer-beating layup from sophomore Kamya Hatten to defeat visiting SMC 87-85.

An exciting back and forth game featured six ties and 8 lead changes and featured 50 minutes of basketball and 6 periods to decide a winner. Columbia's largest lead of the night was nine points which they reached twice, but only briefly as the scrappy Pioneers refused to go away. 

A 36-30 Columbia halftime lead saw the Koalas go up by just five at 57-52 heading into the fourth. SMC then shut down the cold-shooting Koalas in the fourth outscoring them 17-12 to force overtime. SMC then controlled most of the first overtime as they used an 8-5 period to lead 77-74 with 5 seconds to play. However, a clutch three-pointer at the buzzer of the first overtime from senior guard Keyshuna Fair in the corner then tied the game at 77 all to force another extra five minutes.

The second overtime then saw the Koalas carry their first OT momentum as junior guard Layla Wall got the extra period started with another three to put CC up 80-77. SMC then went on a 8-4 run to go up 85-84 with under a minute to play. A Tamyra Davis free throw then tied the game before Columbia forced a SMC turnover with 30 seconds left. Columbia then held the ball until under 10 seconds to play when Tysonia Lowe missed a layup but an rebound from Hatten out to Wall saw her miss a three-pointer as the shot clock expired with 2 seconds to play. However, with SMC thinking that the game was over, started to walk the ball up court and got called for a turnover with a second to go. CC then took clear advantage of this and a terrific inbounds pass from Wall to a driving Hatten under the basket saw Kamya bank the winning layup off the backboard and through the net for the big win.

The Koala's 5th straight win saw them improve to 12-1 on the season while dropping SMC to 2-7. Columbia put six women in double-figures on the night led by 12 points from junior guard Makayla Street while guards Tysonia Lowe and Fair each scored 11 points and combined for 9 rebounds and 6 assists along with 3 steals from Fair and a block from Lowe. Street also had 6 rebounds and led in steals with four. Davis also played well defensively leading the team with 13 rebounds along with 8 points and 3 assists.

Wall had a terrific all-around night as well racking up 10 points and 6 assists with 7 rebounds, 3 steals and a block while fellow guard Callie Hermansen and Hatten each recorded 10 points. Hatten also chipped in 8 rebounds and 2 assists along with her big layup on the night. Junior forward De'Asia Feaster also added 9 points and 2 rebounds while guard Kindan Dawson had 6 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and a block. 

Columbia shot 36.5 % overall but struggled from three shooting just 19.5 percent. SMC shot nearly 40 percent overall and 36.5 percent from three but struggled at the free throw line.  

Columbia will finish their first half of the season with a quick road game to nearby foe Paine College in Augusta on Thursday night for a 5:30 pm tipoff.