The Forester women's basketball team erased a six-point deficit in the final minute of regulation and pulled away in overtime during Saturday's 97-88 victory at Beloit College.
Senior guard Katie Neher led all players in the contest with 26 points and 21 rebounds. It was the third-highest single-game rebound mark in program history. Neher also matched junior guard Maurissa Edwards for game-high honors with eight assists.
Edwards and senior forward Annie Lally were next on the team with 25 points apiece. Lally shot 9-for-15 from the field while Edwards set a school record with 16 made free throws in 18 attempts.
The teams combined for 66 fouls and 100 free throw attempts while the Foresters connecting on a record 35 of 51.
Lake Forest shot 43.5 percent from the field while Beloit was at just 35.6 percent. Both teams grabbed 48 rebounds and the Foresters committed 24 turnovers while forcing just 18.
The visitors jumped out to a 16-5 lead and were ahead 22-17 at the end of the first quarter. The Buccaneers came back and connected on a tie-breaking three-pointer at the first half buzzer to take a 44-41 lead into the locker room at halftime.
The third quarter featured six ties and six lead changes and ended with the teams tied at 63. Edwards scored 10 points and Neher pulled down seven boards in the fourth. Beloit led for most of the period and was ahead 83-77 with a minute to play. Neher was fouled with 57.4 second to play and made the first of her two free throws. She also grabbed the rebound on the second and scored to make it a three-point game with 53.2 second remaining. Edwards cut the deficit to one on a pair of free throws with 33.5 seconds on the clock and tied the score at 84 with two more with 13.5 left. The home team had an opportunity to take the lead but missed two free throws with 9.0 seconds left.
An Edwards three-pointer with 2:51 to play in overtime gave the Foresters the lead for good and they outscored the Buccaneers 12-1 the rest of the way.
The victory raised Lake Forest's overall record to 7-13 and Midwest Conference mark to 3-9. Beloit fell to 7-15 overall and 3-10 in the league.
The Foresters will travel to Lawrence University next Wednesday for a 5:30 p.m. tip-off.