JACKSON, Tenn.-Sophomore guard
Courtney Banks (Memphis, Tenn., White Station HS) scored the game-tying basket with five seconds remaining, then drew a foul and sank the game-winning free throw to lift the Christian Brothers University Lady Bucs to a 56-55 win over Lane Saturday afternoon in the Union University Thanksgiving Invitational.
HOW IT HAPPENED:• The Lady Bucs (2-1) used a 14-2 run early to take a 19-9 lead when Banks scored a fastbreak layup with 1:55 remaining in the first quarter.
• The Lady Dragons (0-5) controlled the rest of the first half, however, answering with a 21-5 run to take a 30-24 advantage on a Tashara Jones free throw with 2:31 remaining in the half.
• Lane would hold the lead into the final minute, leading by as many as nine points when a Shadae Nollen fastbreak layup with 9:06 remaining in the fourth quarter gave them a 45-36 edge.
• CBU answered with a 14-5 run to tie the game back up at 50 on a pair of
Samantha Reeves (Somerville, Tenn./Fayette Academy) free throws with 3:05 remaining.
• Niva Royal sank a pair of free throws to put Lane back on top 55-53 with 21 seconds to play, but Banks followed with the game-tying layup with five seconds remaining. Lane committed a turnover on the inbounds pass, and Banks drew a foul, sinking the decisive free throw with four seconds remaining to give the Lady Bucs the 56-55 win.
KEY STATS:•
Madison Luckett (Memphis, Tenn./St. Benedict HS) led the Lady Bucs with 14 points, eight rebounds and two blocks.
• Reeves added 13 with six rebounds and three assists.
• Banks scored nine.
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Ashley Schaefer (Cincinnati, Ohio/Sycamore HS) tacked on nine with six rebounds.
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Rachel Lee (Jackson, Tenn./Jackson Christian School) scored eight and dished out a career-high six assists.
• The Lady Bucs shot 45.8 percent (22-of-48) from the floor, including just 25 percent (6-of-24) from three-point range.
• Lane was 31.1 percent (19-of-61) overall and 33.3 percent (4-of-12) from beyond the arc.
• The Lady Dragons out-rebounded CBU 39-33, including a 13-2 edge in offensive boards, and they forced 20 CBU turnovers while committing 11.
WHAT'S NEXT:The Lady Bucs open Gulf South Conference play Thursday night at 5 p.m. as they take on Lee in their home opener.
