GOCC Women survive vs. Henry Ford in OT

After compiling a 13-point lead in the first quarter Saturday at Henry Ford, it looked as if the Glen Oaks women's basketball team would cruise to an easy victory before heading into Christmas break. Instead, the two squads ended up in quite a tangle that resulted in an extra periord. But the Vikings thrived in overtime to claim a 65-56 victory and improve to 5-8 overall. 

Up 16-3 midway through the first period, Glen Oaks could only muster one more field goal over the final four and a half minutes for an 18-10 lead. 

A pair of free throws by Zy'Asija Scott got it back to a double-digit cushion early in the second quarter. She and Tayler Denton would score on layups as both teams struggled from the field. Still, Glen Oaks held a 24-19 halftime advantage. 

Henry Ford cut it to three early in the third quarter but Denton connected on a jumpshot and Jordyn Partee attacked the basket for a lay-in to give Glen Oaks a 28-21 lead at the 6:54 mark. Henry Ford then went on an 8-0 run for a 29-28 lead — its first of the contest. Kennedy Lockett answered with a jumper before the lead switched hands again. A Scott layup regained the lead for Glen Oaks and a big 3-pointer by Denton helped the Vikings take a 35-32 advantage into the fourth quarter. 

Landen Smith tied the game with a triple for Henry Ford just 11 seconds into the fourth and the teams were never separated by more than a possession for the next five minutes. A Partee layup put GOCC back in front, 51-48, with 54 seconds left in regulation. Henry Ford knotted things up with a field goal and then a free throw with 32 seconds left and had a chance just before time expired but couldn't get the shot to drop. 

In overtime, GOCC was poised and forced several Henry Ford turnovers. Scott hit a trey to get things going before Lockett connected on a field goal and two free throws for a 58-55 lead with 2:02 left. Denton came up with another clutch 3-pointer to push it to a five-point cushion. A Partee free throw and a made attempt from the stripe by Cami Turpin made it a seven-point lead with 29 seconds to play. Lockett sealed the deal with a pair of foul shots just before time expired. 

Lockett ended the night with a team-high 18 points on 6-for-11 shooting from the field and a 2-for-5 effort from deep. She also had an assist and four steals. Scott finished with 15 points, Denton recorded 14 and Partee had 11. Turpin finished with five points and Lilly Hofmeister had two. Partee and Scott both had a team-best four assists, Turpin posted 11 rebounds, Denton grabbed eight boards and Partee was next in line with seven. Lockett and Scott registered four and three steals, respectively. 

The Vikings are off until Jan. 7, when they take on Owens Community College at Jackson College.