HIGH POINT, N.C. (Interstat) — Nevaeh Zavala scored 21 points and grabbed 14 rebounds Saturday to lead High Point to an 85-83 double-overtime win over Yale in a nonconference women’s basketball game at Qubein Arena. The Panthers improved to 11-2. The Bulldogs fell to 4-9. Yale’s Ciniya Moore scored a game-high 33 points, including a 24-point fourth quarter that forced overtime. The game was tied after the first overtime period before High Point secured the win in the second extra session. High Point’s Aaliyah Collins added 23 points. Attendance was 954.

HIGH POINT, N.C. (Interstat) — In a game that required two extra periods to decide, Nevaeh Zavala converted two critical free throws with no time remaining in double overtime to lift the High Point Panthers to an 85-83 victory over the Yale Bulldogs in a nonconference women’s basketball thriller Saturday at Qubein Arena. The dramatic finish capped a marathon contest that saw Yale, which trailed by as many as 11 points in the second quarter, mount a furious fourth-quarter rally to force overtime, only to see the Panthers ultimately prevail before a crowd of 954. The game’s final sequence was set up after Yale’s Ciniya Moore, who poured in a game-high 33 points, tied the score at 83 with two free throws of her own with one second left in the second overtime. On the ensuing inbounds play, Yale’s Marisa Chapman was called for a foul on Zavala as the Panthers attempted a full-court pass. With the clock showing 0.0, Zavala, a 6-foot sophomore from Plano, Texas, stepped to the line and calmly sank both free throws for the final margin. Zavala finished with 21 points and 14 rebounds, playing a pivotal role throughout for High Point, which improved to 11-2. Aaliyah Collins led the Panthers with 23 points, while Macy Spencer added 15. The contest appeared headed for a different conclusion after Yale’s remarkable comeback in regulation. The Bulldogs, who entered the fourth quarter trailing 52-41, exploded for 24 points in the final period. A driving layup by Collins gave High Point a 65-63 lead with under a minute to play, but Yale’s Kiley Capstraw answered with a pull-up jumper with five seconds left to knot the score and force the first overtime, deadlocked at 65. Both teams scored eight points in the initial extra period, with Moore hitting a tough turnaround jumper with 13 seconds left to tie it at 73 and force a second overtime. In the second overtime, Yale took a brief lead on a Mary Meng tip-in with 1:03 left, making it 82-80. Zavala then buried a clutch 3-pointer from the wing with 50 seconds remaining to put High Point back ahead 83-82, setting the stage for the frantic final minute and Moore’s tying free throws. Moore’s 33-point performance came on a heavy workload of 48 minutes. The 5-foot-10 guard from Bradenton, Florida, also contributed three blocks. She was supported by Luisa Vydrova, who scored 17 points, and Capstraw, who posted a triple-double with 11 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. Meng dominated the glass for Yale with 15 rebounds to go with six points and three blocks. Despite the loss, which dropped Yale to 4-9, the Bulldogs showcased resilience, battling back from a double-digit deficit against a High Point team that was a heavy favorite according to predictive metrics. The teams were remarkably even in several statistical categories, each finishing with 44 points in the paint and 22 points off turnovers. High Point built its early lead with a strong second quarter, outscoring Yale 21-12 to take a 36-27 advantage into halftime. The Panthers maintained that cushion through the third quarter before Yale’s fourth-quarter surge changed the complexion of the game. The Panthers now look ahead to their Big South Conference opener against UNC Asheville on Dec. 31. Yale, after a challenging nonconference slate, begins Ivy League play at home against Brown on Jan. 3.

HIGH POINT, N.C. (Interstat) — A surging High Point women’s basketball team looks to rebound from its second loss when it hosts a struggling Yale squad at Qubein Arena on Saturday. The Panthers (10-2) had a seven-game win streak snapped in a 76-65 road loss at Davidson on Wednesday. They will face a Bulldogs team (4-8) coming off a 50-46 overtime defeat at Monmouth on Thursday. High Point’s offense, which averages 75.8 points per game, is led by dynamic guard Macy Spencer. The standout is averaging 19.3 points over her last six contests, including a 31-point outburst at Louisiana-Lafayette on Nov. 28 and a 25-point, 6-assist performance in a win over North Carolina Central on Dec. 14. Her ability to score from all levels will challenge a Yale defense allowing 63.2 points per game. Yale will counter with a focus on interior defense and rebounding, anchored by forward Mary Meng. Despite scoring only three points at Monmouth, Meng dominated the glass with 14 rebounds and blocked three shots. Her presence will be critical against a physical High Point frontcourt. The Bulldogs have struggled offensively, failing to reach 50 points in three of their last five games. Generating consistent scoring outside of Meng’s paint presence remains a key challenge. Guards Marisa Chapman and Luisa Vydrova, who combined for 12 points and 15 rebounds against Monmouth, will need increased offensive production. For High Point, limiting turnovers will be a priority after committing 21 at Davidson. Alongside Spencer, guards Aaliyah Collins (9.9 points, 5.3 assists per game) and Nevaeh Zavala provide additional scoring punch. This non-conference matchup presents a stark contrast in season trajectories. High Point seeks to reassert its dominant form before opening Big South play, while Yale aims to find momentum before its Ivy League schedule begins in January. Tip-off is set for Saturday afternoon at Qubein Arena.