GREENEVILLE, Tenn. - - Caitlyn Ross has been a go-to player for the UVA Wise women's basketball squad from the minute she walked on campus for the first time, and with both the game and the squad's post-season hopes on the line the fifth-year player stepped it up a notch, pouring in 47 points and leading the Cavs to the 99-95 double overtime victory over Tusculum Wednesday evening in Pioneer Arena. And the Kingston, Tennessee, native rewrote her personal, school, and South Atlantic Conference record books while doing so.

Ross' 47 points are the most in a single game in UVA Wise women's basketball history, dating back to the early 1970s. They also tie the SAC record for points in a game and are the most scored in a game by a NCAA Division II women's player this season.

With the win and a loss by Mars Hill at Anderson, UVA Wise (12-15, 8-11 SAC) solidifies their hold on the eigth and final spot in the upcoming South Atlantic Conference Tournament.

UVa Wise took a quick 11-0 lead and held the advantage until early in the second quarter, when TU took advantage of some hot shooting from Delana DeBusk to propel the Pioneers ahead, and they led by as much as eight points late in the half. The teams swapped leads throughout the third and early fourth quarters, with the Pioneers surging late to claim a 77-70 lead with 1:42 remaining. 

At that point, Ross put the team on her back, both literally and figuratively, as she scored eight straight points for the Cavs and the team held Tusculum to just one free throw down the stretch to send the game to extra frames. The first overtime saw Tusculum take advantage of Cavalier miscues to grab the 84-78 lead. The Cavs would battle back and force a second overtime via a Ross jump shot with 3.5 seconds left. UVa Wise would then take the lead in the second overtime via one of Ross' eight three pointers for the night, and the Cavs would hit seven of eight free throws down the stretch to pull out the 99-95 win.

UVa Wise will close out the regular season Saturday afternoon at Wingate. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.

QUICK FACTS
- The 47 points by Ross eclipse her career record of 28 points, set on Feb. 13, 2021 at Queens. They also surpass the school record of 44 set by Pam Horton against Pikeville College on Jan. 16, 1983. 
- She also tied the SAC record with Anderson's Ace Easter, who had 47 points vs. Mars Hill on Jan. 13, 2019.
- Ross' career high eight three-pointers tie the school record with Hanna Oliver (1/6/21 vs. Mars Hill) and Blair Harding (12/13/14 at WVU Tech).
- Ross also had a solid night at the charity stripe, hitting all nine of her free throw attempts.
- Sarah Burton had 11 points and 10 rebounds, marking her second career double-double.
- Sable Burnside pulled down a career-high 13 rebounds.
- The win was Coach Jamie Cluesman's 80th of her career.
- The 99 points scored were the highest since a 100-64 win over King on Nov. 13, 2022.
- Katlin Burger (19 points) and Burton (11 points) were the other Cavaliers in double figures in scoring.
- Tusculum had six players, including all five starters, score in double figures. Carleigh Wilson led the team with 19 points.