Women's Basketball Storms Back to Defeat Seward County in Overtime Thriller

COLBY, Kan. — The Colby Trojans women's basketball team earned a statement victory Sunday (Jan. 25) afternoon, rallying past Seward County Community College for a 74–67 overtime win at the Colby Event Center. The Trojans, who entered the game tied for sixth in the KJCCC standings, knocked off a Seward County squad tied for fourth in conference play, securing one of Colby's biggest wins of the season.

The Trojans wasted no time getting on the scoreboard. Dessirae Ulmer opened the game with a quick mid-range jumper, and on the very next possession Olivia Hultgren knocked down a three-pointer to give Colby an early 5–0 lead. After a Seward timeout, Easha Potts connected from beyond the arc to keep Colby's momentum rolling early.

Seward County answered with a three-pointer to snap its scoreless start, but Amisha Russell responded a few possessions later with a three of her own to extend Colby's lead early in the first quarter. After two quick baskets from the Saints, Ulmer and Piri Lewis scored on back-to-back possessions to push the Trojans' advantage back to seven.

Seward closed the gap late in the quarter with consecutive buckets and a foul call, tying the game at 18–18. Potts answered with a basket, but the Saints closed the opening period on a strong run, hitting a three and scoring on two straight possessions to take a 24–20 lead after one.

Defense took over for much of the second quarter, with both teams grinding through possessions. Colby was held to 10 points in the frame, while Seward maintained its edge, sending the Trojans into halftime trailing 36–30. 

Seward continued to control the tempo into the second half and built its largest lead of the game in the fourth quarter, pushing the advantage to as much as 13 points. With time running down, Colby responded with urgency on both ends of the floor.

Potts, Lewis, and Ulmer sparked the comeback, scoring early in the fourth to cut into the deficit. After a Colby timeout, Ulmer and Potts delivered back-to-back baskets to trim the lead to single digits. A Jera Kruleski three-pointer and a pair of Potts free throws pulled the Trojans within four as Colby's defense locked in.

Following a missed Seward County three-pointer, Kruleski attacked the rim for a clutch layup to pull Colby within two at 58–56. Lewis then finished strong inside to tie the game at 58–58. After the Saints briefly regained the lead, Elia Ando answered with a basket of her own, evening the score at 60–60 and forcing overtime as the Trojans completed a comeback from a 13-point deficit with just five minutes remaining.

Overtime belonged to Colby. The Trojans' defense clamped down, limiting Seward County to just seven points in the five-minute period. Offensively, the backcourt tandem of Lewis and Hultgren took control, combining for eight points to fuel a 14–7 overtime advantage and secure the 74–67 victory, capping a complete and resilient comeback by the Trojans.

Lewis led Colby with 19 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals while playing 40 minutes. Potts followed with 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting, while Ulmer recorded her third double-double this season with 11 points and 13 rebounds. Kruleski added 11 points off the bench, and Hultgren contributed nine points and key overtime buckets.

As a team, Colby shot 43.5 percent from the field and outrebounded Seward County 44–33, including 36 defensive rebounds. The Trojans forced 15 turnovers and recorded six blocks in a dominant defensive performance down the stretch.

Seward County was led by Avery Marchino's game-high 25 points, while Trinitee Holmes added 13 and Kimora Fagan finished with 10. The Saints shot 32.9 percent from the field and 26.7 percent from three-point range.

The win improves Colby to 11–9 (8–6 KJCCC), giving the Trojans momentum as conference action continues at home Wednesday (Jan. 28) against Barton.