Box Score

OLD WESTBURY, N.Y. – Senior Abby Hurlbert (Thomaston, Conn.) hit a layup with seven seconds remaining in the game to lift the Southern Connecticut State University women's basketball past the New York Institute of Technology, 62-60 to close out 2017.
 
RECORDS: So. Connecticut (11-3) | NYIT (8-5)
 
1^st Quarter Score: SCSU 20, NYIT 15
2^nd Quarter Score: NYIT 32, SCSU 27
3^rd Quarter Score: SCSU 47, NYIT 43
 
KEY PERFORMERS
Points: Hurlbert (12), Kiana Steinauer (11), Chandler Williams (10)
Rebounds: Steinauer (10), Paige Decker (5), Africa Williams (4)
Assists: Murphy Murad (4), Steinauer (3), Decker (3), Imani Wheeler (3)
Steals: Wheeler (5), Murad (2)
 
NOTABLE FACTS
- Wheeler broke a career-high in steals with five on the day with four of them coming in the Owls second half surge.
 
- Steinauer collected her seventh double-double of the year (11 points, 10 rebounds). 
 
-Hurlbert scored all 12 of her eventual points in the second half of the game.
 
-With this victory, the Owls are riding a five-game winning streak heading into 2018.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- It was all business for the Owls in Old Westbury, N.Y. as they looked to close out 2017 on a high note. A back and forth scoring affair for the second straight game, as neither team led by double digits. The largest lead of the game was eight points held by the Bears in the third quarter.  
 
- NYIT started the game strong where they led until the six minute mark when Murad hit a 3-pointer to give the Owls their first lead of the game, 7-5. SCSU would conclude the first quarter up by five, 20-15.
 
- The Bears quickly climbed back as they opened the second frame with a 9-0 run, holding the Owls off the score sheet until 3:54 when Maddie Brown (Lewisville, Texas) hit a good 3-pointer, but NYIT went into halftime with a 32-27 lead.
 
-  The scoring volley continued in the third quarter as the lead changed eight times. The Owls ended the third frame on a 12-4 run in the last 3:59 to give themselves a four point lead heading into the final frame.

-The Bears started the fourth with a 9-4 run to take back the lead at the 5:51 mark. 
 
LATE GAME HEROICS
- The Owls were down by one with seven seconds remaining in the game when Hurlbert went for a layup but was fouled by a Bear, the basket counted to give the Owls a 61-60 lead as she stepped to the line for one shot.
 
- After a good free throw from Hurlbert, NYIT held possession with four seconds remaining as Wheeler arguably made the biggest defensive play of the game when she tallied her fifth steal to rob the Bears from its last scoring opportunity.
 
- SCSU held on to win it 62-60 heading to finish off 2017.
 
UP NEXT
The Owls open 2018 action on January 3 as they travel to North Andover, Mass. for NE10 action against Merrimack College. Tip off for this matchup is set for 5:30 p.m. at Hammel Court.