Late Heroics Lift Women's Basketball to Comeback Victory

COLBY, Kan. — The Colby Trojans women's basketball team delivered a major comeback victory Wednesday (Feb. 25) night, rallying from a double-digit deficit to defeat Fort Hays Tech Northwest, 78–68, in overtime at home.

The Trojans opened the game with early energy as Dessirae Ulmer, Olivia Hultgren, and Easha Potts combined to score Colby's first 11 points. Fort Hays Tech Northwest quickly answered from beyond the arc, with Al'asia Brown and Marta Rodriguez each knocking down two three-pointers in the first quarter to help the Tigers take a 17–11 lead.

The Tigers built momentum in the second quarter, stretching their advantage to 10 points midway through the period. Colby responded late in the half when Jera Kruleski knocked down a buzzer-beating three-pointer to cut the deficit to seven heading into the break.

Fort Hays Tech Northwest carried that momentum into the third quarter, scoring the first five points to push its lead to 14. The Trojans began to respond behind key contributions off the bench, as Elia Ando provided a spark with six points in the quarter and Adrian Neal added a timely three-pointer. Colby continued to chip away at the deficit, and a strong closing stretch proved pivotal as Hultgren scored six points in the final minute of the third quarter, including a three-pointer, to trim the Tigers' lead to five entering the fourth.

The Trojans' comeback continued in the final period. With just over four minutes remaining, Kruleski delivered a go-ahead basket to give Colby its first lead since the opening minutes. Ulmer followed with a bucket that forced a Tigers timeout as the momentum shifted.

Fort Hays Tech Northwest responded when Zoey Burton connected on a clutch three-pointer with under three minutes remaining to put the Tigers back in front by one. Hultgren answered immediately, knocking down a three-pointer on the next possession to give the Trojans a two-point edge. With seven seconds left and holding the lead, Colby fouled Rodriguez, who had led the Tigers offensively throughout the night. Rodriguez converted two of three free throws to tie the game and send the contest into overtime.

In the extra period, Colby dominated on both ends of the floor. The Trojans controlled the glass, tightened their defense, and converted key scoring opportunities to outpace the Tigers 15–5 and pull away for the 78–68 victory.

Hultgren led Colby with 24 points, including four three-pointers and several clutch baskets in the second half and overtime. Ulmer and Potts each recorded double-digit scoring efforts with 10 points apiece and both grabbed nine rebounds, helping the Trojans hold a 40–30 advantage on the boards. Kruleski added 12 points off the bench, while Ando's second-half contributions helped fuel the comeback.

Rodriguez paced Fort Hays Tech Northwest with a game-high 28 points, and Vitória Fernandes added 15.

As a team, Colby shot 38.4 percent from the field and capitalized on key opportunities throughout the night, scoring 27 points off turnovers while receiving 28 points from its bench. The Trojans also finished with advantages in rebounds, assists, second-chance points, and points in the paint in a complete team performance.

The Trojans return to home court Saturday (Feb. 28) for their final regular-season home game of the year, as Colby celebrates Sophomore Day and honors its outgoing class.