BOSTON – Suffolk women's basketball played Colby Sawyer neck-and-neck through the first three frames, but could not keep up in the fourth as the Rams were outscored 20-10 and ultimately fell to the Chargers, 63-51, Tuesday night inside Regan Gymnasium.
THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 51, Colby Sawyer 63
RECORDS: Suffolk (2-2) | Colby Sawyer (2-0)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Seven different Rams put the ball in the hoop over the course of the first 10 minutes to give Suffolk a 14-10 edge. Colby Sawyer cut the Suffolk's advantage to two as Lexie Hamilton put a pair at the line. Jordan Hipwell responded for the Rams as the rookie converted a steal into two points and Georgie Bourikas followed with a triple to put a seven-point distance back between the foes, 19-12, with 7:30 remaining before the break. The second stanza turned into a back-and-forth with the Rams maintaining their advantage to head into halftime up 24-20.
A quick and-one by Colby Sawyer's Tiana Sugars made it a one-point game in the opening seconds and a see-saw affair ensued with the lead flip flopping three times and the score tying once. Behind three traditional three-point plays by Sugars, the Chargers grabbed a 41-35 cushion with 1:56 on the clock in the third.
Mya Blazejowski knocked down one from downtown and Marissa Gudauskas answered with a trey of her own to level the playing field at 41 all with just over one minute to go in the third. Hamilton ended the frame with a good jumper to keep the visitors in front, 43-41.
Colby Sawyers put away the first 10 points of the fourth to make it a 53-41 contest in their favor. Jenni-Rose DiCecco converted an and-one of her own and Bourikas put away her second three-ball of the evening to cut the deficit to eight, but the Chargers rebuilt their double figure advantage, 57-47, at the 3:23 minute mark.
The Rams could not make up any more ground as Colby Sawyer maintained is advantage down the stretch to secure the 63-51 non-conference victory.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
- Bourikas paved the way offensively for the Rams with the senior recording 15 points thanks to a 5-for-9 night from the floor including 3-for-3 showing from long range. She added four boards, three steals and one dime to her stat line.
- Hipwell joined Bourikas in double figures with 13, shooting 4-for-8 on the night and the freshman went 5-for-6 at the line.
- Alexis Hackett pulled down 14 rebounds, all on the defensive end, and nine in the first half to pace Suffolk on the glass.
- The Rams had a sluggish night from the floor, shooting just 34.5 percent (19-55), but used a 90.9 connection rate at the charity stripe to remain in the contest.
- Colby Sawyer, who outrebounded Suffolk, 41-37, saw a double-double, 18-point, 10-rebound effort from Hamilton and 19 points from Sugars.
NOTEWORTHY
- Suffolk and Colby Sawyer met for the 22nd time.
- Bourikas has scored double figures in three of Suffolk's four games this season.
- Hackett pulled down double digit rebounds for the second straight game, third time this season and fifth time in her career.
- Ed Leyden used the starting five line up of DiCecco, Alexandra Nagri, Bourikas, Hackett and Hipwell for the third consecutive contest.
POST-GAME PIC
COMING UP
Suffolk takes a break for the Thanksgiving holiday and returns to the hardwood Monday, Nov. 27 as it visits Curry for a 5:30 p.m. match.