Eagles Spirits Soar With Overtime Triumph

By Jon Crossman

ANKENY, Iowa – Nothing accentuates a win in the sports world quite like an overtime comeback—a point the Eagles were determined to prove in their Friday night victory over Central Christian College of the Bible (CCCB). This overtime victory comes with perfect timing as the Eagles begin the homestretch to the conference tournament, with just under two weeks of regular season games remaining on the schedule.

The comeback came late in the game, with the ladies trailing by as many as seven points in the final moments of regulation. A strong first quarter from point guard Makenna Laib gave Faith the early 12-6 lead, but it didn't take long for CCCB to strike back in the next quarter. Macaria Hines put up 10 points in the second quarter alone for the Saints, accelerating the opposition to a 24-24 tie at the half—a foreshadowing of an exhilarating second half.

After the break, Rachel Kleczka came out as a nightmare for the Saints defense in the paint, euro-stepping her way to a dominant 15-point second half. Her positioning under the net led to some game-saving plays for the Eagles, as well as 15 rebounds to add to her second-leading national average of 13.8 per game. Laib stepped up again with just under two minutes left in play, launching a three-point dagger into the Saints lead to take back control of the game. With her sole three-pointer for the Eagles, the momentum swung in favor of Faith as overtime play began.

The most impressive part of the overtime victory came not in points scored by the determined Eagles, but instead a retelling of the solid defense seen in previous wins. Sophomores Sarah Iler (four overtime points) and Mary Yarnell (five overtime points) led the warpath for the Eagles, and the team only allowed two overtime points from the opposing Saints. Freshman Whitney Wacker scored the final basket for the Eagles, effectively sweeping the rug out from under the Saints earlier energy and finishing strong, 61-50.

The Eagles hit the hardwood again against Emmaus on Monday, January 31. The game will begin at 4:00 p.m. in the Nettleton gym.