Patience And Determination Lifts The Berg Over League Leading Capital

The Heidelberg College women’s basketball team and 19-year head coach Karen McConnell faced a similar situation in its Ohio Athletic Conference game against Capital University tonight - overtime. But the Berg outscored the Crusaders 13-10 in the extra period to earn a 71-68 victory. It was the fourth-consecutive overtime game for Heidelberg at Seiberling Gymnasium on the campus of Heidelberg. Unfortunately for the Berg its last three home outings found themselves on the short end of the scoreboard, but patience and determination finally pushed the Berg into the win column.

The win over Capital was the first by the Berg since a 66-55 win on February 25, 2003 in the OAC Tournament Quarterfinals in Tiffin, Ohio.  The win improved Heidelberg to 12-12 overall and 5-12 in the OAC, while Capital drops to 17-6 overall and 13-4 in league action.

Junior guard Maureen Hunter (Toledo, Ohio / Notre Dame) helped Heidelberg get a quick start out of the gates and take an early 19-7 lead with 12:33 left to play in the first period. Hunter opened action with nine of the Berg’s first 19 points. Capital began to chip away at its deficit and pulled within two, 27-25, on a Daniele Manalac lay up with 3:04 to play before the intermission. The Berg held on and entered the locker room with a 31-26 lead.

Capital stormed out of the gates in the second half, scoring the first eight points to take over the scoreboard, 34-31, with 17:22 left in regulation. Heidelberg and Capital battled back and forth to eight ties and four lead changes. The Berg held a 58-54 lead with 2:57 on the clock, but a free throw from Capital’s Caitlin Elsass and a three-pointer from Ralphie Beal knotted the score at 58-58, forcing an extra period.

Heidelberg opened the extra session with a block on the defensive end from Hunter and Amanda Campbell (Pataskala, Ohio / Watkins Memorial) found Brittany Skolnicki (Lorain, Ohio / Clearview) in the left corner for a trey. The Berg never would relinquish the lead following Skolnicki’s three-pointer and posted a 71-68 win.

Skolnicki led three in double figures for the Berg with 21 points, while Hunter contributed 15 and Stacey Richard (Galloway, Ohio / Central Crossing) came off the bench and posted 11 points. Campbell led the way on the glass, pulling down 12 rebounds.

Elsass led Capital with a game-high 23 points, while Manalac chipped in 14 points and eight rebounds.

Heidelberg closes out its 2006-07 slate against Muskingum Saturday, Feb. 17. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. The game was originally scheduled for Friday, Feb. 16, but was changed due to tonight’s contest with Capital.