NEW ROCHELLE, NY— The York College women's basketball team overcame a 16-point halftime deficit and pulled ahead in the final seconds, to earn a thrilling, 47-46, victory over the College of New Rochelle, Monday night.
 
York never led in the game until the last five seconds.  A jumper by Shauncia McClendon gave York its first and only lead of the contest.
 
Things looked bleak for York after a dismal first half, where they shot just 21 percent and trailed 31-15 going into the locker room.
 
York turned things around in the second half in a big way.  A 10-0 run in the third quarter cut the deficit down to five points.  The run was sparked by a pair of Samantha Bond three-pointers.
 
In the fourth quarter, New Rochelle pushed the lead to nine points (44-35) with 7:58 to play.  York took over from here.  Buckets by McClendon and Jigcara Grant on consecutive possessions cut the lead to four points with under six minutes to go.   Two possessions later, a Juliet Mathews jumper made it just a three-point deficit 
 
After a two-minute scoring drought by both teams, Angelika Ruggiano drained a three to even the score up at 44-44 with 3:10 to play.  New Rochelle pulled ahead on a made jumper and a free throw to go back up by three with just 1:28 remaining.
 
On York's next possession, Grant scored on a put-back and then, after a defensive stop, York got the ball back.  After a timeout, McClendon drained the go-ahead jumper.   The Cardinals then got another stop to hold on for the victory.
 
Leading the way for York was Bond who had 14 points and Ruggiano, who netted 13 points. Grant scored seven points and pulled down 18 boards—her 13th double-digit rebounding effort in 14 games.
 
York is now 3-11, while New Rochelle drops to 6-10.  The Cardinals return home on Wednesday when they take on Staten Island at 6 p.m.