CALDWELL, N.J.- Caldwell University women's basketball senior
Paula Dits (Alicante, Spain) poured in 24 points as the Cougars overcame a first half deficit to rally past Holy Family University 68-57 in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference contest.
The Cougars improve to 8-5 overall and 3-1 in the CACC, while the Tigers fall to 6-9 and 1-4 in conference play.
Holy Family built a 24-11 lead early in the second quarter. The Cougars cut the score to 24-16 following five points from Dits. The Tigers answered to extend their lead to 35-18 late in the first half.
Caldwell rallied back as they closed the half with a 12-3 run. Junior
Rebecca Morrison (Ayrshire, Scotland) drained a triple, while graduate
Saundra Cleckley (Far Rockaway, N.Y.). added five points including a three-point play in the final seconds to trim the score to 38-30 at halftime.
The Tigers pushed their lead to 37-27 midway through the third quarter before the Cougars rallied once again. Caldwell used a 14-3 run to close out the quarter as Dits scored seven points, including a triple in the rally. Junior
Jessica Wagoner (Clifton Park, N.Y.) added five points including a three-pointer at the buzzer to give the Cougars a 51-50 lead heading to the final quarter.
Holy Family answered to start the final quarter as they edged in front 54-53 at the 7:43 mark but Caldwell answered with an 11-0 run to take a double-digit lead. Graduate
Shanice Graves (Brooklyn, N.Y.) drained a triple, while Dits scored six points to help the Cougars surge ahead 64-54 with 2:47 remaining in the game. Caldwell held off the Tigers down the stretch to secure their second straight win.
Dits led the way with 24 points and eight rebounds, while junior
Casey O'Shaughnessy (Brooklyn, N.Y.) finished with 16 points, three boards and three assists. Morrison added 11 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Graves totaled seven points and six rebounds, while Cleckley tallied five points, six boards, three assists and two steals.
The Cougars travel to Goldey-Beacom College for a CACC contest on Saturday, January 15 at 1 pm.
