Women’s Basketball Nearly Overcomes 22-Point Deficit; Falls to CCNY 54-53
BOX SCORE
NEW YORK, NY.— The York College women's basketball team trailed by 22 points in the first half to the City College of New York on Tuesday but came all the way back to take a late lead, only see the Beavers regroup and win the ballgame by one point, 54-53.
It looked like York was on its way to lopsided loss, as CCNY dominated the first half of action. The Beavers held York to just 21 percent shooting in the first 20 minutes, while forcing 12 turnovers. The Beavers were clicking on offense, shooting an impressive 54 percent in the first half (14-26).
CCNY was up 36-14 with 2:53 in the half, following a jumper by Giovanna Blanco. The Cardinals closed the half strong though, cutting the lead to 14 points after closing the half on an 8-0 run.
York would bring that momentum into the second half and dominated from that point on. York forced 18 second-half turnovers, which they converted into 20 points and held CCNY to just 26 percent shooting.
The Cardinals would come all the way back at the 2:13 mark of the second half to take a one-point lead (51-50) after a made jumper by
Ishonda McFarland. They would then go up by three a minute later after a
Danielle Dunn put-back.
CCNY was fouled on its next two possessions and made one of two free throws each time to cut the York lead to one point with 25 seconds to go. The Cardinals had a chance to put the game away after being fouled on their next possession but York could not make either free throw and CCNY came up with the ensuing rebound.
With 13 seconds left, CCNY's Sajidah Pressley drew a foul and was sent to the line. She drained two clutch free throws to put the Beavers back up by one (54-53).
York still had one more shot to win the game but Dunn missed a jumper with three seconds left. The ball went out of bounds on CCNY and the Cardinals had another chance with three seconds left, but were unable to get off another shot.
McFarland led the Cardinals with a game-high 15 points to go along with nine boards.
Angelika Ruggiano added 11 points and three assists. Dunn finished with eight points and
Stayce Kay Muirhead chipped in six points and eight boards.
CCNY was led by Blanco who recorded a double-double (11 points, ten boards) and Pressley, who finished with a team-high 13 points and five assists.
The loss drops York to 0-12, 0-5 in the CUNYAC, while CCNY improves to 2-10, 2-4 in CUNYAC play. The Cardinals will return to action on Friday with a home game versus Hunter College. Tip-off is 6:00 p.m.
