ECAC DIVISION III WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT - Wheaton set to make program's first championship as Lyons down RIC, 69-67 in overtime

March 2, 2007

NORTON, MA--- The fourth-seeded Wheaton College women's basketball team overcame a 17-point deficit with 13:29 left in regulation to push overtime and eventually collect a thrilling 69-67 victory over number eight Rhode Island College, as the Lyons are set to make an Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Tournament championship game appearance for the first time in school history after Friday night's semifinal at Emerson Gymnasium.

Advancing to tomorrow's championship, the Lyons set up a rematch of last weekend's New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Tournament semifinal at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). Game time in Harrington Auditorium is set for 2:00 p.m. Wheaton now has its highest win total in 12 seasons in improving to 19-10, while the Anchorwomen end their season at 17-11.

Senior Kim McCormack (Milton, MA/Milton), who turned in one of the top performances of her career with 22 points and 12 rebounds, spearheaded a game-changing 23-2 run midway through the second half to give the Lyons their first lead since the game's opening bucket. McCormack scored eight of Wheaton's final 10 points during a 3:54 spurt, leading the hosts to a 55-51 edge with 3:19 to play. A McCormack lay-up at 2:44 pushed the lead to 57-52, but Rhode Island College scored five straight for the first of three ties to force overtime.

In the extra session, a McCormack three and jumper gave the hosts a 66-65 edge at 2:16 and, following two free throws from Anchorwoman senior Kari Geisler (Deerfield, NH/Pinkerton Academy), junior Becky Aitchison (Norwalk, CT/Trinity Catholic) hit a driving lay-up with 1:50 to play for a Wheaton lead that was not relinquished. RIC had an opportunity to take the lead in the waning seconds, but Aitchison pulled down a defensive board and was fouled with 7.9 ticks left. Aitchison made a free throw to put the Lyons up two, giving the visitors one last chance, but McCormack grabbed her 12th board off a missed lay-up with 0.1 seconds remaining.

With Wheaton trailing 41-25 entering the second half, senior Samara Audet (Derry, NH/Trinity) drained a three 10 seconds in and Aitchison hit a lay-up with 18:20 remaining to cut the Lyon deficit to 41-30, but junior Josalee Danieli (New Gloucester, ME/Gray-New Gloucester) quickly thwarted Wheaton's threat with three straight jumpers for a 47-30 cushion at 15:11. The hosts used a 12-2 stretch to close the gap to single digits, a Sorbara three made it 51-45 at 10:58, and McCormack eventually followed with six straight points.

After shooting just 38.5 percent in the opening frame, Wheaton stormed back to make 55.2 percent of its attempts in the second half while holding the Anchorwomen to just 27.6 percent after they shot 58.1 percent through the first 20 minutes. In addition to McCormack's seventh career double-double, she went 9-of-13 from the field with four assists and three steals. Aitchison posted an all-around solid performance with 13 points, seven boards, six assists and three steals, while senior Casey Sorbara (Port Chester, NY/Trinity Catholic) and sophomore Krystin Hickey (Manchester, NH/New Hampton School) contributed nine and eight points, respectively.

Danieli led RIC with 18 points and nine rebounds, while Geisler finished with a double-double of 16 points and a game-best 14 rebounds. Junior Sarah Coughlin (North Attleboro, MA/Bishop Feehan), who turned in 10 points, five assists and three steals in the first half, ended up with 14 points, six assists, five rebounds and four steals. Freshman Alice Mullen (Saunderstown, RI/South Kingstown) added nine points in the loss.

This page is maintained by Scott Dietz. Last updated on 3/5/07.
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