BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - The Caldwell College women's basketball team opened the 2011-2012 season with an 80-75 overtime victory at the University of Bridgeport in a non-conference game Wednesday evening at Hubbell Gym. The Cougars, who were 21-6 last season, won the first game of the year for the second time in the past three years, while the Knights drop to 0-3 on the season.
Three three-pointers by freshman guard Devin Gold (New Hope, PA/Council Rock North) in the first half helped the Cougars take a 32-24 halftime lead. The lead grew to 10 points early in the second half before the Knights began to slowly get back into the game. With Caldwell up 51-44 with nine minutes remaining, Bridgeport used a 10-2 run to take a 54-53 lead with just under seven minutes to play. The lead changed hands 11 times over the next six minutes, with a lay-up by senior forward Kaitlyn Lambert (Cumberland, RI/Cumberland) and a free throw from junior guard Torey Jones (Providence, RI/LaSalle Acad.) putting Caldwell ahead 67-65 with 35 seconds on the clock. Bridgeport's Julia Colley tied the score with a jumper with 17 seconds left, and Jones missed a shot at the buzzer, sending the game into overtime.
Jones tallied the first five points of the extra session to give the Cougars a 72-67 advantage. The Knights came within two points twice, but a basket from freshman forward Emily Caswell (Wakefield, RI/Prout School) and four free throws by senior guard Stephanie Cadet (Elmont, NY/Elmont Memorial) put the game out of reach.
Jones, who was limited to three minutes in the first half due to foul trouble, led Caldwell with 17 points to go with five assists. Junior center Gillian Felix (Mahopac, NY/Mahopac) hit 9-of-10 from the foul line en route to 13 points and three blocks, while sophomore forward Jeanette Anderson (Lynn, MA/Lynn) tallied 11 points and 15 rebounds. Lambert, pictured, and Cadet each had 10 points, with Cadet dishing out seven assists. Tanisha Carter paced the Knights with 26 points and 13 rebounds in the loss.
Caldwell plays in the Assumption Tournament in Worcester, Mass., this weekend, starting with Friday's game against Stonehill College at 5:30 p.m.. The Cougars also play the host Greyhounds on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
