Box Score NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Sophomore
Maria Weselyj (Marlbrough, Conn.) connected on a three-pointer with 4.7 seconds remaining in regulation to provide the margin of victory for the Southern Connecticut State University women's basketball team on Saturday in a 65-62 triumph over Bentley. The Owls
improved to 9-7 overall and 6-2 in Northeast-10 Conference play with the win, while Bentley is now 7-8 and 2-7 in league action.Three players scored in double-figures this afternoon, including a 15 point five rebound performance from sophomore Taylor McLaughlin (Colchester, Conn.). Weselyj chipped in with 13 points and a rebound. Senior Mariah Hankton (Upper Marlboro, Md.) rounded out the trio with 11 points and a rebound. Junior Danielle Powell (Middletown, N.Y.) tied her career-high six blocks to go along with a team-high eight rebounds and nine points.During the first 10 minutes of the game, both teams battled valienty for the lead managing three ties and three lead changes. It wasn't until back-to-back free throws from Sydni Lester (Teaneck, N.J.), the Owls found themselves up five, 17-12, with 10:04 left in the first.Over the next six minutes, Bentley went on a 13-2 run to take a 25-19 lead with three minutes left until halftime. Southern Connecticut answered back with an 8-2 spurt to create the fifth tie of the half, 27-27. During that run, Nicole Grossbard (Upper Marlboro, Md.) and Weselyj each recorded a three-pointer for the Owls while McLaughlin scored the final jumper of the half.
Similar to the start of the first half, both Southern Connecticut and Bentley went through two ties and two lead changes until made jumper from Brittany Gregory extended the Falcons' lead to seven, 41-34. Southern Connecticut battled back to within two, 50-48, but Bentley answered back with a 56-48 lead over the hosts.The Owls were down nine, 58-49, with under five minutes to play before going on a 13-0 run. Bentley scored four straight points to even the game at 62 before Weselyj's late heroics with nine seconds remaining on the clock.The Owls are back in action on Tuesday, January 13 as they host Saint Anselm College in a Northeast-10 Conference clash. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. from Moore Field House.
