The Rockhurst Hawks defeated Adams State 82-79 in double overtime Friday night in their regular season opener at Mason-Halpin Field House.

Madeline Ronshausen scored a team-high 23 points and led the Hawks in assists with five. Lauren Krissman added 19 points including 6-for-6 from the free throw line. Rachel Holden chipped in eight points and collected a team-high seven rebounds.

It was a defensive battle in the first half as Rockhurst took a 24-22 lead into halftime after a last-second three-pointer from Mary Leigh Rock.
 
The Grizzlies came out firing after halftime, scoring the first nine points of the third quarter. The lead grew as large as 11 as ASU took a 48-37 lead into the fourth quarter.

Rockhurst battled back early in the fourth quarter, as back-to-back threes from Krissman and Ronshausen pulled the home team within five at 50-45. The surge continued and the Hawks took a 59-56 lead behind a 20-6 run.

Coach Larry Park needed just one word to describe erasing the 11-point deficit: "Perseverance."

It was a seesaw battle down the stretch. Adams State regained the lead at 60-59 before Claire Rose sank a pair of free throws to put the Hawks back up by one. Tied at 62, the sophomore point guard came up clutch again, burying two more foul shots with seven seconds left in regulation. Adams State answered the bell with two free throws at the other end to force overtime.

Trailing 70-68 in the first overtime, Meghan Urbanski drew a foul with seven seconds left. The freshman from South Bend, Indiana showed ice water in her veins, sinking both free throws to force a second overtime. The Hawks' point guards showed great poise as both Rose and Urbanski gave Coach Park quality minutes.

Tied 78-78 with 49 seconds left in the second overtime, Krissman put the Hawks ahead with an old-fashioned three, getting fouled on a layup and draining the free throw. The clutch hoop plus the foul shot proved to be the game-winner. The teams traded free throws, then Rockhurst played disciplined defense on the Grizzlies' final possession to secure the win.

"Last year, I'm not sure this is a game we win," Coach Park said, alluding to the Hawks' growth and mental toughness.

Player of the Game: Lauren Krissman. The junior from Fort Smith, Arkansas scored an efficient 19 points on 13 shots, including a momentum-turning three-pointer that helped spark the fourth quarter comeback, as well as the aforementioned game-winning layup.
 
Inside the Box Score 

• The Hawks were aggressive in attacking the basket, getting to the foul line 39 times.
• Five players recorded eight points or more – Briahtia Sebek (8), Holden (8), Rose (10), Krissman (19) and Ronshausen (23).
• Rockhurst showcased its depth as 12 players saw the floor, nine of whom logged double-digit minutes.