ORANGEBURG, N.Y.- Caldwell University women's basketball junior
Rebecca Morrison (Ayrshire, Scotland) drained a late three-pointer as the Cougars held off regionally ranked Franklin Pierce University 66-63 on day one of the Regina Rivera Memorial Tournament hosted by Dominican College.
The Cougars improve to 3-1 overall, while the Ravens suffer their first set back to fall to 3-1.
Franklin Pierce got off to a fast start as they pulled ahead 18-10 late in the opening quarter. Caldwell battled back with a 17-4 run to take a five point lead midway through the second quarter. Junior
Casey O'Shaughnessy (Brooklyn, N.Y.) drained a three-pointer, while senior
Paula Dits (Alicante, Spain) added eight points including a pair of triples to push the Cougars into the lead at 27-22 with 5:42 left in the first half.
The teams traded leads over the final five minutes with O'Shaughnessy converting a three-point play with 10 seconds left to give Caldwell a 34-31 lead at halftime.
O'Shaughnessy converted a three-point play early in the second half, while Dits added a trifecta as the Cougars extended their lead to 44-37 with 7:23 left in the third quarter. The Ravens closed to within two points at 44-42 midway through the quarter. O'Shaughnesy and Morrison combined for eight points over the next two minutes to push their lead to 52-45 late in the quarter.
Franklin Pierce made a run to start the fourth quarter to cut the score to 57-56 at the 7:26 mark. Caldwell managed to keep the Ravens at bay but held a 63-62 lead in the final minute. Morrison drained a three-pointer to push the score to four points. Following a Franklin Pierce free throw, the Ravens had a pair of potential game-tying three-point attempts miss the mark as the Cougars held on for a key region victory.
Dits led the way as she shot 3-for-4 from downtown, totaling 19 points, nine rebounds and two assists. O'Shaughnessy tallied 19 points, two boards and three assists. Morrison added 15 points, while junior
Halle Brown (Downingtown, Pa.) posted five rebounds and five assists.
The Cougars conclude play at the Regina Rivera Memorial Tournament hosted by Dominican
College Saturday, November 20 as they take on Saint Anselm College at 2 pm.
