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DENVER, Colo. – Senior guard Ashley Kuchar made a layup with 12 seconds left in the first overtime period to lift the Fort Lewis College women's basketball team to an 89-88 win at Metro State.
 
Senior Christie Groh and Erika Richards both recorded career highs in points scored.  Groh made 13-of-17 field goals, 1-of-2 three-point field goals and 2-for-2 free throws for a game high 29 points.  Richards hit on 11-of-18 field goals, 4-of-7 three-point field goals and 1-of-2 free throws for 27 points.
 
The Skyhawks were out-rebounded by 16 rebounds, including 19-8 in offensive rebounds.  Metro State, which fouled 12 times to the Skyhawks 21, shot 26 free throws (19 made free throws) to the Skyhawks eight free throws (five made free throws).
 
The win improves the Skyhawks record to 14-9 overall and 11-8 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.  The Roadrunners, who entered the game tied with the Skyhawks in the league standings, move to 11-12 overall and 10-9 in the RMAC.
 
The Skyhawks led the game for nearly 16 minutes in the first half and took a 41-37 lead at the break.  Fort Lewis' largest lead of the game was eight points at the 5:41 mark in first half.  However, five minutes into the second half Metro State took a 55-54 lead after out-scoring the Skyhawks 25-14.  Since that point, both teams exchanged leads four times before Michelle Turner scored her only bucket of the game.  Turner nailed a three-point field with only 24 seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 76-76 and send it to overtime.
 
Kuchar, who struggled from the floor, netted five of her 11 points in the extra period.  She started overtime with a jumper to give FLC a 78-76 lead.  Both teams exchanged baskets 11 times in overtime.  With less than a minute left in overtime and trailing by one point, Christie Groh made a layup after the Skyhawks drew an offensive set coming out of a timeout.  Metro State's Cassie Lambrecht answered with a jumper for an 88-87 Roadrunner lead and 20 seconds left in the game.  Coming out of a timeout and the length of the court to advance, Kuchar made the game-winning jumper with only 12 second left.
 
Kuchar finished the night with a game high eight assists.  She added 11 points (4-of-14 field goals, 1-of-6 three-point field goals) and three rebounds.
 
Fort Lewis made 52.8 percent of their field goals (38-72) and 38.1 percent from long range (8-21).
 
Metro State was led by Deni Jacobs with a double-double of 22 points and 10 rebounds.  Three Roadrunners scored at least 20 points in the game with Amy Nelson and Lambrecht each netting 20 points.
 
The Skyhawks will play at Regis University Saturday afternoon. Tip-off at Regis Fieldhouse is slated for 3 p.m.