Box Score
NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Three different members of the Southern Connecticut State University women's basketball team scored double-digits, as the Owls opened their 2009-10 season with a 67-64 victory in Moore Field House on Sunday afternoon. Southern outscored the Purple Knights 25-11 in the last 12 minutes of play, collecting its first win of the new season.
In the opening stanza, Bridgeport jumped out to a commanding 23-13 lead through the first 10:28 of action. However, the Owls battled back with an 8-2 run in the closing minutes, cutting their deficit to just two points at halftime.
After a brief intermission, the Purple Knights' offense came to life early on in the second period. Julia Colley capped off a 21-12 run with 7:22 remaining in regulation with a short jump shot from the baseline, giving Bridgeport a 53-42 advantage.
Once again the Owls had an answer, this time from senior forward
Allyson Smith (East Hampton, Conn.). Smith knocked down back to back three-pointers from the left corner, making it a one possession game with four minutes and change remaining.
The teams exchanged buckets down the stretch, until Southern's defense tightened up. Two forced turnovers led to two lay-ups on the other end by sophomore transfer
LaTisha Hatcher (Detroit, Mich.), knotting the game up at 58 with 35 seconds left in regulation.
Both squads each failed to score on their final possessions, resulting in an overtime period.
In the extra frame, Hatcher knocked down two free-throws, sophomore
Alex Fiola (Fall River, Mass.) nailed a three-pointer, senior
Jacqueline Johannes (Southbury, Conn) connected on a lay-up and sophomore
Logan Lentz (Chambersburg, Pa.) sealed the deal with two free-throws in the closing seconds for the 67-64 victory.
Smith led all Owls with 16 points on 7-15 shooting and had two steals in the game. Hatcher and Fiola chipped in with 14 and 10 points respectively, while Johannes cleaned the boards with 16 rebounds. Lentz also tacked on eight points and a team-high six assists for the Owls.
The Owls return to action on Nov. 18 with an away game against Le Moyne. Game time is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in Syracuse, N.Y.
