Even though there were some struggles and mistakes, the Lady Bears showed grit and determination at home Monday against Jones getting a late basket to force overtime before a rally sealed the deal for Southwest in an 87-75 decision over the Bobcats.
After the game, Southwest head coach Brent Harris acknowledged the miscues but immediately gave praise for his team as some individuals stepped up in the win.
"We made a bunch (mistakes) and we need to watch film on ourselves," he said. "We had some people make some huge individual plays, we had some playing through sickness, playing through hurt."
It was also another strong night at the free throw line for the Lady Bears (12-5, 2-2 MACCC) making 16-of-20. It marked the fourth time in the last five contests that Southwest finished shooting at least 80% from the charity stripe.
"That is going to have to be us," Harris said. "That is going to have to travel on the road to beat some good teams."
Despite not playing with one of their key players in Mookie Lampley, the Lady Bears got strong play from a pair of freshmen in Mady Smith and Gracie Miller as they each scored a basket early on helping Southwest set the tone.
Miller finished the first quarter strong with five of the Lady Bears final seven points helping the hosts jump out to a 19-14 advantage.
Leading 23-19 with just under 8:00 to go until the half, Southwest rallied behind one of their leaders in Kara Beth Addison. The sophomore scored a pair of baskets which kick-started an 8-0 run giving the Lady Bears a 31-19 lead.
But the momentum did not last long as Jones went of a run of its own to pull within striking distance. Southwest led 34-28 at the half.
Baskets from Addison and Bethany Graves helped the Lady Bears get off to a positive start in the second half. The duo made their presence known once again just past the midway point of the third quarter as they combined for a 6-0 rally helping Southwest add to its lead, making it a 50-37 contest. Makes from Niyla Wright and Akeelah Hobson, with the latter's coming with just a second to go, helped the Lady Bears finish the period strong taking a 56-49 lead into the final 10:00 of play.
Southwest lost steam in the fourth as Jones not only rallied back, but took a lead by as much as four with 3:00 to go. But the Lady Bears did not panic and made their move to get back in the game late.
With under :10 go, Addison grabbed an offensive rebound and got the putback with :07 on the clock tying the game at 70. One last defensive stand on the other end forced overtime.
During the break just prior to the overtime period, the Lady Bears came together and reminded themselves of how overtime games have gone for them thus far this season.
"We just looked at each other and said 'we've lost two of these in overtime (this season) and we are going to pull it together and we are going to get it done,'" Addison said.
That was all the motivation that Southwest needed as the Lady Bears scored the first 13 points of the period. Addison, Smith and Moosie Walls handled the scoring for Southwest in overtime as the Lady Bears went on a 17-5 run to help seal the win.
Addison led Southwest with 27 points while Walls posted 12, Smith 11 and Miller 10.
The Lady Bears will hope to make it three-consecutive wins Thursday at 5:30 when they visit Mississippi Delta.
