HUNTINGDON, Pa. (Dec. 7) - The Saint Vincent women's basketball team allowed 32 fourth quarter points as Juniata rallied back for a 76-73 victory against the Bearcats.
Things started well for Saint Vincent, who climbed out to an early 9-2 lead in the first. The run was capped by a three-pointer from
Jasmine Weems with 7:32 left in the opening quarter. Juniata battled back, using a 7-2 run of its own, to pull within two points (11-9) at the 4:28 mark. The Bearcats closed the opening quarter strong as
Maria Morgan converted a layup and
Hannah Carroll dialed up a three-pointer, making the score 16-9 after 10 minutes.
The second quarter was one of several runs. Weems hit a three-pointer at the 3:55 mark to push the Bearcats lead into double digits for the first time, at 27-17. The host Eagles would fight back, closing the half on an 8-3 run to make the halftime score 30-25 in favor of SVC.
Juniata would then use a 7-2 spurt to open the third quarter, capped by a three-point play to tie the contest at 32-32 at the 8:16 mark of the period. Saint Vincent would regain the lead on back-to-back baskets by
Babette Sanmartin, making it 36-32 with 6:57 to play in the third. From that point on the Bearcats would slowly build their lead, using back-to-back three's from
Susie Ellis to push the advantage to 44-36.
A fast break layup late in the half from Weems pushed the Bearcats edge back into double figures, at 52-42. Juniata answered with a jumper but SVC held a 52-44 lead after three quarters of play.
Saint Vincent would start the fourth strong, using a 9-3 run to grow the lead to its largest of the game, at 61-47 with 7:27 left. The run was capped by a three-pointer and layup by Morgan. However, Juniata countered with a 16-4 run to close within two points (65-63) with 3:51 to play. Morgan and Mara Benvenuti made back-to-back baskets to push the lead back to six (69-63) with minimal time remaining.
Weems connected on a three-pointer to give the Bearcats a 72-67 lead with 1:41 to play. However, the Bearcats struggled to close the game out down the stretch, as the Eagles closed the game on a 9-1 run to steal the victory.
The Bearcats had four players finish in double figures, with Weems leading the way with 17 points. Morgan added 15, while Ellis chipped in 12 points and 4 assists. Sanmartin finished with 11 points. Benvenuti led SVC in rebounding (8) and steals (3) in the loss.
After back-to-back losses, Saint Vincent will attempt to get back on track when they travel to Waynesburg University on Saturday, Dec. 10 for a conference matchup at 1:30 p.m.
