Emerson Tops York in Amherst Classic Consolation Game
Box Score
AMHERST, MA –Despite a phenomenal game from York College junior Kadisha Wickham, Emerson College bested the Lady Cardinals women's basketball team 65-58 in the consolation game of the 2010 Amherst Classic Sunday afternoon. Wickham finished the day with 26 points and 18 rebounds but it would be not enough as Emerson rallied from a fist-half first-half deficit to earn the victory.
With 14:56 to play in the first half, York took an 11-10 lead as senior Niya Jarvis made 1-of-2 at the free throw line. Following the go-ahead free throw, neither team scored until Emerson's Maddy Smeaton put in a left-handed score from the paint.
Emerson scored eight straight points to take an 18-10 lead, but York responded with a 10-0 scoring run of its own to take a 20-18 lead on a Kadisha Wickham jumper with 7:38 to play. The Cardinal lead grew to 22-18 as Jarvis picked the pocket of a Lion guard and went the distance for an easy layup.
York's lead grew as large as seven points with just under three minutes remaining in the first half, but Emerson cut the deficit to 31-28 heading into the break as Olivia DiNucci nailed her fourth three of the half just before the buzzer. At the half, Wickham led all players with 16 points, while DiNucci was close behind with 14 points for Emerson.
York opened up a 41-36 lead early in the second half, but Emerson's Shannon Norton took a steal the distance for a score to close the gap to three points with 13:10 to play. A three-point play by Kathy Andrade tied the game on the next possession for Emerson.
Emerson went on an 8-0 scoring run, with Norton and Andrade causing havoc on the defensive end to spark points off turnovers. The Lions took a 54-46 lead on an Amy Sherman triple, but another pair of free throws from Wickham closed the gap to half a dozen.
York closed the gap to two points, but after a jump ball and no reset, turned the ball over on a shot-clock violation. The exchange allowed Emerson to regain a two-possession lead and never look back. DiNucci added another pair of free throws after Jarvis fouled out at in the final minute.
Emerson dribbled out the clock on a 65-58 win. DiNucci led the Lions with 24 points and nine rebounds, while Andrade added 11 points and seven boards. Jarvis added 13 points and 12 rebounds for the Cardinals.
The result improves Emerson's record to 2-6 on the year, while York falls to 4-5. For their play this weekend, DiNucci and Wickham earned All-Tournament Team honors.
Story courtesy of Amherst Athletics
