VALPARAISO, Ind. – Ashli O'Neal scored a career-high 28 points, Ty Battle recorded her first career double-double and Indiana State notched another comeback win as the Sycamores topped Valparaiso in Missouri Valley Conference play, 86-82, in overtime.
 
Battle, who had career highs in both points (16) and rebounds (13), was one of four Sycamores in double figures. Regan Wentland (16 points) and Tamara Lee (11 points) joined her and O'Neal in leading Indiana State (9-7, 3-2) in the win.
 
The Sycamores trailed by as much as 11 early on and took a 36-31 deficit into half. But like they have so many times before this season, the Blue and White fought back, using a 24-point third quarter to push back into the game.
 
"I am just really proud of our kids," Indiana State Head Coach Vicki Hall said. "We were determined to win and we persevered through a lot of adverse situations throughout the week and throughout the game. They were just determined and I am really proud of them."
 
But the overtime win – Indiana State's second double-digit come from behind victory this season, almost never was. Trailing by two with 1.9 seconds left in regulation, the Sycamores inbounded the ball to Tamara Lee, who was immediately and regrettably fouled by Valpo (4-12, 0-4). Lee would hit both free throws to tie the game.
 
"[She hit] clutch free throws and also her three," Hall said. "She had one 3-pointer for the whole game and then her 3-pointer that she hit in overtime was big time. Especially to hit the two free throws with 1.9 seconds left was great. That set us off to go into overtime. It was wonderful."
 
That 3-pointer that Hall referenced came less than a minute into the overtime period. O'Neal had already driven for a jumper in the paint before Ty Battle grabbed a defensive rebound on a missed free throw. Lee, who was 1-for-5 beyond the arc at that point sent a shot up that drained without hitting the rim and pushing ISU's lead to five.
 
Then it came down to executing late in the overtime period, much like they had at the end of regulation. Valpo whittled ISU's lead of eight down to four after going on a 6-1 run with less than a minute left in the overtime period.
 
The Crusaders held the ball with 21 seconds to go but Meredith Hamlet, who led Valpo with 26 points, missed a shot, grabbed her own rebound then kicked it out to Grace Hales, who missed a 3-point shot as the seconds continued to tick away. Valpo was unable to get a shot off as Indiana State registered their Missouri Valley Conference leading sixth road win of the season.
 
The Sycamores now head to Chicago to face Loyola on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET/1 p.m. CT.
 
For the latest information on the Sycamore Women's Basketball team, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.