GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Using a 7-0 run in the last 1:31 of regulation to force overtime, the University of St. Francis women's basketball team began its 2024-25 campaign by winning a thriller Friday night, outlasting Aquinas College (Mich.) 70-68 in overtime.  Junior guard Le'lani Harris played hero for the Saints by sinking the game-winning three-point shot with just 17 seconds left in the extra period to give USF its first victory of the season.

The Saints got off to a strong start, going through Lauren Knight as the graduate transfer poured in nine points in the first six minutes of the game.  The first quarter proved to be a back-and-forth battle with neither team having more than a three-point advantage as seven lead changes were registered between the two squads.  Nearing the end of the quarter, with the score knotted at 14-14, Baylei Johnson sunk a free throw to recapture the lead for USF, putting the Saints on top 15-14 heading into the second stanza.

The Saints took their largest lead of the night in the second quarter, going up by four points (25-21) after a sharp pass from Harris found Amou Ring open for an easy layup at the 9:36 mark.  That would be St. Francis' last score in a nearly four-minute dry spell as the USF shooters went cold from the field and allowed Aquinas to seize a 28-25 edge with its 7-0 run to close out the half.

Aquinas (0-1) attacked first to start the second half with a quick jumper just 12 seconds into the period to extend its scoring run to nine points and open a 30-25 lead.  St. Francis remained undeterred, however, and slowly climbed back into the mix, led by a Tykara Harrison five-point swing to tie the score at 32-32 with 6:51 remaining in the third quarter.  Strong defensive pressure would benefit both teams the remainder of the quarter as just seven points from each side would be allowed, netting the score at 39-all heading into the fourth quarter.

The teams traded points through the first five minutes of the fourth quarter with Aquinas hanging on to a one-point lead after a Harrison free throw put the score at 48-47.  After a successful free throw upped Aquinas' total to 49, the Saints were able to tie the score for the third time in the quarter at 49-all when a contested jumper from Harris found the bottom of the USF net at the 2:51 mark.  From there, the game looked to teeter in Aquinas' favor as AU gained four of its next seven points from free throws to showcase its largest lead of the night 56-49.  But with 1:31 remaining in regulation, Laurelei Thormeyer had an offensive plan that Aquinas did not have an answer for as the junior guard went on a scoring surge, producing all seven of the Saints' remaining points in the quarter to send the game into overtime tied at 56-56.  Symone Harrell came up with two big steals in less than 30 seconds to assist with two of Thormeyer's layups during the scoring outburst.

Going into overtime, St. Francis remained composed as the two sides traded scores and swapped leads through the first three minutes.  Harrison and Knight handled the first two equalizers of the extra session, while Harris gave the Saints a 63-62 advantage with 2:35 to go as she calmly drained a layup.  The lead was short-lived , though, as Aquinas raced the floor for two layups and a free throw to pull ahead 67-63 over the next minute of play.  Down four points with 1:31 remaining and with the Saints' backs against the wall once again, St. Francis turned to Harris, who refused to go down without a fight.  After a successful Aquinas free throw, Harris would score two layups on each of USF's next two possessions to cut the deficit to one point 68-67.  On the following AU possession, it was Harrell who came through again with her defensive prowess to secure a huge steal and set the stage for Harris' heroics.  With just 0:17 remaining on the clock, Harris connected for the shot of the game by sinking a three-pointer to give St. Francis the two-point lead 70-68.  The crowd-silencing shot would prove to be the dagger for Aquinas as the home team could not counter, allowing the Saints to celebrate the season-opening win.

St. Francis ended the game shooting 34.7 percent from the floor (26-of-75), playing level with Aquinas' 34.6 percent mark (23-of-66).  Steals proved to be the difference with USF dominating that category, 15-7, leading to a 17-10 scoring advantage off turnovers.  Harris led the Saints in scoring with 18 points, while Knight scored 16 in her St. Francis debut.  Harris also led St. Francis in rebounding with 10 boards, marking her first double-double of the season.  Harrell was also a huge factor in the game with a team-best six steals.

Up Next
St. Francis will have a quick turnaround as head coach John McGinity's team takes on Cleary University (Mich.) Saturday afternoon to complete the weekend road trip.  Tipoff on Saturday against the Cougars is slated for 12 pm in the Gannon Gymnasium on the campus of Lansing Community College.

You can keep up with everything happening around USF Athletics on X @USFSaints.