For the first time this season, the No. 12 Benedictine women’s basketball team found themselve in an overtime game.

After trailing by six points at the break, Benedictine (27-5) outscored Central Methodist University (25-6) 36-30 in the second half to force overtime only to have CMU drop 19 points in the overtime period to earn the upset Benedictine 78-70 in the HAAC Postseason Tournament semifinals.

CMU limited Benedictine to just eight field goals in the first half while converting 11 field goals themselves.

In the second half, Benedictine hit 13 field goals and went 6 of 10 from beyond the arc to force overtime.

CMU hit 12 free throws in the overtime period outscoring Benedictine 19-11 to earn a trip to the HAAC Postseason Tournament championship game on Tuesday against top-seeded and No. 9-ranked MNU.

Benedictine finished with four players in double figures while CMU finished with five in double figures.

Kyra Williams led all scorers with 19 points for CMU while Benedictine’s top scorer was Justice Payne with 17.

Benedictine now waits for the results of Tuesday’s championship game between CMU and MNU. Should MNU win the tournament title, Benedictine would get the second automatic berth in the NAIA Div. I National Tournament as the second-place regular season team. If CMU upsets MNU for the second automatic berth, Benedictine would earn an at-large bid.

— BC Sports Information —