The UC Clermont women’s basketball team wrapped up a successful week with a seven-point win over Penn State Fayette on Sunday, November 17, but the matchup one day prior was one for the record books.
The Cougars rallied from a 16-point deficit in the second half to earn a 61-60 win.
UC Clermont started the game with just six available players. In the second quarter, Lauren Carter injured her arm, forcing the team to go the remainder of the first half and the entire of the second half without a sub.
“It’s tough when you only have six kids,” head coach Ken Lowe said. “We’ve got eight kids, but we’ve got two that are down with injuries. It’s tough on these kids, they’re playing 40 minutes. That’s asking them to do a lot, but for the most part they come through. They’re a good little team.”
Mason County (KY)’s Victoria Brooks led the team with 16 points. She also hauled in five rebounds. Destyne Garmon added 14, with Kristi Duncan scoring 13. Anna Voskuhl (11) and Kenzie Harding (7) rounded out the scoring for UC Clermont.
Brooks hit the game-winning shot with roughly 30 seconds left in the game. UC Clermont’s defense forced a jump ball on the other end, and the Lady Cougars held on for the win from there.
How did they do that? Lowe wasn’t exactly sure. UC Clermont trailed 34-27 at halftime, but eventually the team figured things out.
“I think we got a little more composure, started moving the ball a little more there around the zone,” Lowe said. “We know the zone can’t really beat the ball around the perimeter if you pass the ball quickly. The kids just made better decisions in the end.”
The team’s perseverance in the face of that adversity speaks volumes about the squad, according to Lowe.
“It says a lot about the kids,” Lowe said. “I’m very proud of them. These kids are fun to coach. They’re a joy to be around. It makes my job a lot easier.”
A reinforcement arrived the next day for the Cougars, as Sara Ventura returned to the team for the game against Penn State Fayette.
Voskuhl led the Cougars with 20 points. Brooks finished with a double-double, tallying 12 points and 12 boards. Destyne Garmon finished with 10. Harding and Ventura each added seven points and seven boards. Duncan scored five.
UC Clermont’s next game is on Saturday, November 23 at Campbellsville University -Harrodsburg. The team’s next home game is on Saturday, December 7th against Wright State Lake.