 |  |
Live stats | Recap | Box Score
Durkin scores 40 in OT loss to Vikings
| FINAL | 1 | 2 | OT | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valley City State University | 38 | 34 | 6 | 78 |
| Johnson & Wales (CO) | 47 | 25 | 4 | 76 |
| , | ||||
| Valley City State University | Johnson & Wales (CO) |
|---|---|
| Pts: Ralston, Katelyn - 18 | Pts: Caitlin Durkin - 40 |
| Reb: Lehner, Brittany - 9 | Reb: Caitlin Durkin - 10 |
| Ast: 3 Players (#15, #23, #33 - 2) | Ast: Kourtney Shirley - 6 |
| Team Statistics | Valley City State University | Johnson & Wales (CO) |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goal % | 42.4% (28-66 ) | 39.3% (24-61 ) |
| Rebounds | 49 | 39 |
| Assists | 9 | 15 |
| Turnovers | 25 | 21 |
| Pts off Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| 2nd Chance Pts | 0 | 0 |
| Pts in the Paint | 34 | 30 |
| Fastbreak Pts | 0 | 0 |
| Bench Pts | 25 | 9 |
Johnson & Wales welcomed Valley City State University to the Wildcat Center in the first meeting of the two squads this season. The Vikings had an early 11-4 advantage but Caitlin Durkin was just getting started. No matter what the situation the ball found its way to the basket nearly everytime it came out of her hand. Durkin shot .857 from all over the floor in the half scoring 31 points while taking the 'Cats up 47-38 into the break.
Out of the intermission, the Vikings focused more on keeping the ball from Durkin forcing the other Wildcats to provide the offense. VCSU started to pick up some steam and brought the game to within one point with over 11 minutes to play. The 'Cats had their bench shrinking as both Amber Salaz and Samantha Neal fouled out late in the second half. The Vikings stayed within a possession or two for the remainder of the half and tying the game at 70 with just under a minute left to play before VCSU found the first lead since early in the game. Durkin was forced by injury to come out of the game with 43 seconds on the clock. Her substitute, Catherine Loppe, making her first appearance of the season tied the game off a pair of free throws to send the game into extra time.
The overtime period had JWU starting three bench personnel alongside Victoria Huber and Kourtney Shirley to complete the squad. The five 'Cats maintained the same momentum the team had in the final minutes of the first half. Nicole Paradisa picked up her fifth foul with 1:44 left to play leaving Johnson & Wales to close out the game with just four players. A last chance effort by JWU didn't come through as they dropped the conference game 78-76 to Valley City in overtime.
Durkin led all scorers with a season high 40 points and her third double-double of the season with 10 boards. Shirley had six assists in the loss. Katelyn Ralston had 18 points for the Vikings and Brittany Lehner had 9 rebounds.
The two teams will meet up again at Valley City on January 14. Johnson & Wales will host a slate of game during the holiday break kicking off against Midland University on December 29 at 5pm in the Wildcat Center.
