CALDWELL, N.J.- Caldwell University women's basketball senior
Paula Dits (Alicante, Spain) grabbed a career-high 18 rebounds as the Cougars came up short in the 2021-22 season opener 63-58 to the University of the District of Columbia on day one of the CU Conference Challenge.
The Cougars open their season at 0-1, while the Firebirds start the season at 1-0.
The Firebirds jumped out to a 20-7 lead late in the opening quarter. Caldwell battled back as they used an 18-6 run close to gap to one point late in the second quarter.
Junior
Casey O'Shaughnessy (Brooklyn, N.Y.) connected on a three-pointer in the runs, while junior
Halle Brown (Downingtown, Pa.) drained three trifecta in the rally to cut the score to 26-25 with 3:49 left in the half. District of Columbia drained four free throws to pull ahead 30-25 at halftime.
The Firebirds extended their lead to nine points early in the second half at 38-29. The Cougars rallied back with a 10-2 burst to trim the score to one point. Brown and junior
Rebecca Morrison (Ayrshire, Scotland) each scored four points to help Caldwell cut the score to 40-39 with 2:40 left in the third quarter.
District of Columbia opened up a six points advantage but Caldwell used a 13-4 run to surge into the lead late in the game. Brown and Dits each drained triples in the run, while Morrison capped with run with a bucket at the 4:05 mark to put the Cougars ahead 53-50.
The Firebirds evened the score at 58 and added a free throw to lead 59-58 with 1:32 remaining in the game. District of Columbia held off the Cougars down the stretch with a pair of free throws in the waning seconds.
Brown led the way with 20 points, eight rebounds, and two assists, while draining five three-pointers in the game. Dits posted a double-double with 18 points and a career-best 18 boards and two steals. O'Shaughnessy added seven points, while Morrison and junior
Jessica Wagoner (Clifton Park, N.Y.) each grabbed eight rebounds. Morrison posted three blocks, while Wagoner notched two blocks.
The Cougars close out play at the CU Conference Challenge as they host the University of Bridgeport on Sunday, November 14 at 2 pm.
