WBB Outlasts Elms in OT
CHICOPEE, Mass. - Mitchell College junior Alix O'Neil scored six
of her team's 14 points in overtime to give the Mariners the 81-73
win in Saturday's New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) women's
basketball game at Picknelly Arena.
Elms guard Christina Korney drained a three-pointer with less
than a second remaining in regulation to send the game into
bonus time tied at 67-67. With the win, Mitchell improved to 10-10
overall, 10-4 in NECC play, while the Blazers dropped to 8-15 on
the season, 7-7 in the NECC.
Carolyn Talmadge dished out seven assists for the Blazers and
became the program's all-time assists leader with 225
helpers. The record was previously held by Michelle Fernandes,
who totaled up 220 assists from 2004-08.
Trailing 65-61 with 48 seconds remaining in regulation, Elms pulled
within two following a tip-in by Jessica Jurkowski. Mitchell then
led 65-64 with seven seconds remaining when sophomore Destiny
Harris connected on a pair of free throws to
give the Mariners a three-point advantage. The Blazers went
the length of the floor before Talmadge fed
Korney for the dramatic game-tying three-pointer, capping
off a 17-point second half comeback.
O'Neil scored five points, including a three-point play in the
first 1:39 of overtime, to open up a 72-67 lead for the
Mariners. Talmadge's lay-up with 3:07 to go in the extra frame
cut the lead to 72-69.
Mitchell would receive outstanding free throw shooting, as it
went 5-for-6 from the line over the final 1:07 of overtime to
secure the 81-73 victory. The impressive performance from the
foul line was highlighted by senior Jennifer
Iglesias, who went 4-for-4 from the stripe in overtime.
Junior Brittany
Smyth's three-pointer with 18:52 remaining in the second half
gave Mitchell its biggest lead of the game at 40-24. The
Blazers would respond with an 8-1 run over the next 1:25. The run
included five points from Talmadge as she went 2-for-2 from the
line and added a three-pointer. Annie Dunnack's layup with
16:15 to go in the second frame brought Elms within eight, cutting
Mitchell's lead to 41-33.
The Mariners regained a double-digit lead on a
three-pointer by freshman Kaylee Cerruto 5:58
into the second half giving Mitchell a 45-34 lead. Elms would
once again answer as Talmadge's three-pointer and Katie
Condon's layup cut the lead to 45-39 with 12:18 left in
regulation.
Leading by six, Mitchell went on a 13-5 run over the span of
4:08. The run was capped off with a three-point play by Harris
which gave the Mariners a 58-42 lead with 7:57 to go in the second
half.
The Blazers would answer with a 13-2 run that brought them within
five with 3:49 to go in regulation. Dunnack's pair of free
throws cut Mitchell's lead to 60-55.
Trailing 62-57 with 3:12 to go in regulation, the Blazers would go
on a 12-5 run to close out the second half. A tip-in by
Condon and a jumper by Dunnack cut Mitchell's lead to 62-59.
Condon would hit another jumper with 2:05 to go to make
it a 62-61 game.
Iglesias made one of two free throws, and Harris connected on two
from the line to give Mitchell a 65-61 lead with 1:02 remaining in
regulation. The Blazers would score six of the final eight
points of the second half, including Korney's near
buzzer-beating three-pointer to send the game into overtime.
Dunnack scored a team-high 18 points, while Jurkowski added 15 of
her own for Elms in the overtime loss. Korney scored 14 points
while Talmadge and Condon both added 13 points.
In the win, Harris earned a double-double with a game-high 21
points and 11 rebounds, while Iglesias contributed 20 points
and six assists of her own. O'Neil reached double figures
as well with 13 points and pulled down six rebounds in the
Mariners' winning effort.
Mitchell will play its final non-conference game of the season on
Monday, February 15 at Coast Guard. Game time is slated for 7 p.m.