Hoopsters lose heartbreaker to Case Western in Cleveland

The women’s basketball team lost its first game of the season in two overtimes in Cleveland on Saturday. Case Western Reserve University outlasted the Yellowjackets 82-78.UR was previously 15-0 and ranked at the top of Division III polls. Now the Yellowjackets are ranked fourth and must regroup before their showdown Friday against ninth-ranked Washington University from Missouri. Despite the loss, the Yellojackets remain in a three-way tie for 1st place in the competitive UAA, boasting a conference record of 4-1. The other two teams tied for the top spot are Case Western Reserve and Washington. Friday’s match against Washington is important for the squad to get back on a winning track. It is also important for the team to defend their home court. Rochester rallied from a double-digit deficit to take a 63-60 lead with just over one minute left in regulation. However, the Yellowjackets could not protect their lead late in the game, as Washington’s Jasmine Rowan sank a game-tying field goal to end regulation in a tie.Rowan also hit a jump-shot with one minute remaining in the second overtime to put the Spartans ahead for good, 78-76. Yellowjacket Erika Smith scored a season’s high 28 points. Wescott added 17, Megan Fish scored 14, and Ashley Latimer contributed 10.Rowan had 28 points for Washington, Angie Zeuch scored 17, and Allen finished with 14 for the Spartans. Tipton can be reached at rtipton@campustimes.org.