Box Score

BOONE, N.C. – Eastern Kentucky University's women's basketball team used late game heroics to knock off Appalachian State, 89-84, in double overtime on the road on Tuesday.
 
With 38 seconds remaining in the first overtime the Colonels were trailing, 77-70. That's when they started their late game heroics. Brie Crittendon got fouled and made a pair of free throws to cut the lead to five, 77-72. Alice Recanati jumped into the passing lane for the steal and a break away layup to make the score, 77-74, with 23 seconds remaining. With 19 seconds remaining Recanati jumped into the passing lane again for her game-high sixth steal to give the Colonels a shot. After a missed three-pointer, Crittendon pulled down the offensive rebound and found Emma Hacker at the wing who hit the game tying three-pointer with two seconds remaining in the first overtime.
 
Appalachian State (6-7) took the lead early in the second overtime with a pair of free throws, but the Colonels answered with a 6-0 run after a Bria Bass jumper to take the 83-79 lead that they never gave up.
 
The two teams traded baskets to start the game and Appalachian State took a 12-10 lead after a Zada Porter basket and the foul with 3:27 remaining in the first quarter.  
 
EKU (6-6) responded with a 7-0 run capped off by a pair of free throws by Ariel Kirkwood to take a 17-12 lead over the Mountaineers with 1:15 remaining in the opening frame. The Colonels took a 19-16 advantage into the second quarter.
 
With the game tied 21-21 in the second quarter, the Colonels busted out an 11-0 run capped off by a Crittendon three-pointer from the right wing to take a 32-21 lead over the Mountaineers. Recanati hit a jumper with 10 seconds remaining in the first half to take a 37-29 lead into the break.
 
The Mountaineers came out of the locker room and turned the tide. Porter knocked down a three-pointer with 1:46 remaining in the third frame to tie the game at, 45-45. The Colonels quickly answered back with four straight points and went into the final frame leading, 49-47.
 
App State took a five-point lead, 60-55, with 5:50 remaining in the game. Again, the Colonels answered back with five straight points after a Crittendon steal and layup to tie the game. The Mountaineers tide the game at 68-68 with 56 seconds remaining in regulation.
 
Recanati led the way for the Colonels offensively with a team-best 21 points, six steals, and four assists. Bass just missed a double-double with 17 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Crittendon had a career-best 15 points, six rebounds, and four steals.
 
The Colonels shot 46 percent from the field.
 
EKU outrebounded the Mountaineers, 51-45, on the game. The Colonels forced App State into 27 turnovers.
 
The Colonels are off for 10 days before they return home on New Years Eve to take on Cumberlands. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m.