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Amber ShepherdPIPPA PASSES, KY  Junior guard Amber Shepherd poured in 26 points to lead the Alice Lloyd College Lady Eagles to a come-from-behind 61-54 victory over the visiting Eagles from Cincinnati Christian University last night.

In the opening quarter, both clubs battled to a standstill as neither could obtain an advantage. The period ended knotted up at 13.

In the second quarter, Shepherd tossed in 5 points to help the hosts slip ahead, 28-25 by intermission.

In the third quarter, Cincinnati Christian rode the play of center Aly Balser and guard Baylee Bennett to pull ahead by of the host Eagles and take a 41-39 advantage into the final period.

CCU opened the final stanza scoring on a hoop by Balser with 7:34 to go ahead by 4 (43-39).

Shepherd answered as she scored 6 straight points over the next 1:37 to give her squad a lead at 45-43.

After the visitors retook the lead 50-48 with 4:45 remaining, Shepherd drained another clutch three once more to help her club retake the lead, 51-48.

With 3:23 showing and the score knotted at 52, both teams came up empty on the next few trips. In need of a big play, Shepherd responded for ALC once again. The junior sank a decisive jumper with .46 left to give her squad the lead for good at 54-52.

On the ensuing possession, Alice Lloyd got a huge steal from freshman Whitney Evans who found Shepherd. Fouled by her foes, Shepherd drained both charity tosses for a 56-52 cushion with .38 flashing on the scoreboard.

On the next trip, ALC then recorded another swipe when junior Tailor Morgan came up with the loose ball. Morgan was fouled with just .20 remaining and she confidently stuck both tosses for a clinching 64-58 cushion. Shepherd then completed the scoring by sinking 1-2 free throws, 7 seconds before the buzzer.

For the winners (11-14; 6-9), Shepherd led the way with 26 points. She added 8 rebounds and 2 assists. Megan Jones added 9 points and 5 rebounds. Sophomore Sara Robinson hauled in a game-high 12 rebounds.

CCU ( 6-11;3-15 KIAC) was led by Bailey and Balser with 12 apiece. Brianna Ruffin added 11 points.