BOSTON – Suffolk women's basketball overcame a 13-point deficit and made it a one-possession game with one minute remaining in regulation, but ultimately the University of New England used free throws down the stretch to take down the Rams, 86-80, in Commonwealth Coast Conference action Thursday night at Larry E. and Michael S. Smith Court.
THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 80 | University of New England 86
RECORDS: Suffolk (9-3, 3-2 CCC) | University of New England (8-4, 3-1 CCC)
HOW IT HAPPENED
From the first frame things were kept interesting. Suffolk started off with a 9-3 edge, the Nor'Easters used sharp shooting from behind-the-arc to tie things up at 9-all. The playing field would level three more times throughout the first 10 minutes. The lead switched just once, in UNE's favor in the final minute with the visitors up two, 22-20, at the first break.
The Nor'Easters built their largest lead of the night, a 13-point advantage, 47-34 with 1:17 left before halftime, behind a 17-5 run over a 3:43-minute span in the second quarter.
A layup by Amanda DeAngelis and jumper from Jordan Moreau closed out the frame for Suffolk to cut the gap down to nine, 47-38, at the intermission.
In the third, Suffolk got as close as seven on multiple occasions, but found itself in a 13-point hole with just over one minute on the clock again. Four straight points paid off once again for the blue-and-gold as Lauren Romito put away a layup and Colby Guinta scored a pair of free throws to slice the deficit back to nine, 61-52, as the game headed to the fourth.
Five quick points by UNE restored a double-digit distance two minutes into the final frame of regulation.
It was not until the miday point of the fourth quarter that the Rams really rallied. Moreau's layup sparked a 9-0 Suffolk stretch capped off by a traditional 3-point play from Romito that pulled the host within three, 72-69, at the 3:19 mark.
Down the stretch the Rams found responses to the Nor'Easters free throw conversions highlighted by DeAngelis triple with 18 seconds to go that made it a two-point, 82-80 game, to stay in the hunt.
The answers for the UNE's good foul shots ended there as the visitors closed out the contest with two successful, 2-for-2 trips to the line for the 86-80 Suffolk setback.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
- DeAngelis registered a 20-point, 14-rebound double-double with three assists, three steals and one block. The senior shot 7-for-18 from the field and 5-for-6 at the charity stripe.
- Guinta recorded 18 points on a 3-for-7 effort from downtown and 5-for-5 showing at the line with five caroms, one helper and one takeaway to her credit as well.
- Romito tallied 14 points, eight boards, even swats and three handouts.
- Madi Mahoney rounded out the foursome with double figures with 11 points on a 4-for-10 night from the floor that included a 3-for-6 performance from 3-point range. The graduated student pitched in three dimes, one steal and one rebound as well.
- Moreau was on the cusps of double figures with nine points to go along with three boards, one assist and one steal.
- UNE held the edge on the glass, 51-42.
- The Nor'Easters used Suffolk's 15 turnovers and converted them into 24 points.
- The visitors also took advantage of their second chance opportunities with 25 points off their 26offensive rebounds.
NOTEWORTHY
- DeAngelis notched her eighth double-double of the season, 24th of her collegiate career.
- DeAngelis made her second collegiate three pointer.
- Romito swatted a career-high seven shots.
- Mahoney has made three or more triples four times this season, all of which have come in the last five games. She has knocked down three or more treys in back-to-back games for the season time this year.
- Guinta matched a personal-best five free throws made.
- Akiyah Brown matched a career-high in points (2) and field goals made (1).
- Ava Thurman grabbed a personal-best five boards.
- Olivia Verdile tied a career-high in 3-point field goals made (2).
WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk entertains Wentworth Saturday, Jan. 6. That CCC contest is set to start at 1 p.m.