The Lady Raiders (17-10, 10-5 AMC) got a big three from sophomore guard Marisa Bunce (Phelps, NY) with two seconds remaining and defeated the Houghton Highlanders (10-15, 5-10 AMC) 72 – 70 in a game played at the Nielson Center on the Houghton campus.
The Highlanders shot 48 percent in the first half and held a 32 – 25 lead at the break. In the first half, Houghton was led by senior Ashley Dupler and sophomore Jennifer Hudson with 10 points each. In the first half, Roberts was led by
Brittany McMillon (SR, Lyons, NY) and Bunce with 9 points each. Roberts shot only 35 percent in the first half and made 9 turnovers.
The Lady Raiders would score 47 points in the second half and shoot 48 percent. Houghton continued to shoot the ball well in the second half, shooting 44 percent from the field and 44 percent (4 – 9) from three point land. Dupler (20 points) and Hudson (18 points) continued to lead the way and the Highlanders led 66 – 63 with 3 minutes remaining. The Raiders got a layup from
Tiffany Wilson (SR, Rochester, NY) to close to 66 – 65. Freshman Kristen Moose (9 points) hit a baseline jumper to push the lead back to three points. The teams traded baskets once more, as a steal from Bunce, who passed to Wilson for a layup, was followed by a jumper in the paint from Jennifer Hudson. The Lady Raiders would score the last five points of the game on another layup from Wilson with 40 seconds to go. After
Sarah Child (JR, Albany, NY) rebounded a miss from Dupler, Dupler responded with a blocked shot with 19 seconds remaining. After the Highlanders missed a free throw, McMillon grabbed the rebound. She pushed the ball up court and found Bunce on the wing, and she drained the game winning shot from beyond the arc. McMillon stole the inbounds pass and the Raiders had another hard fought road victory.
Four Raiders scored in double figures, led by Bunce with 17 points. She added 4 assists, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals. McMillon added 16 points, 8 rebounds and 5 steals. Child had another double double with 14 points and 10 rebounds, including 12 points in the second half. Wilson finished with 13 points, all in the second half, and also added 5 assists and 2 steals.
“This was a gutsy win for our team,” said Raider coach
Bob Segave. “I was proud of the way that we responded each time Houghton got up by 3 points down the stretch. Our defense was active and we did a better job on the boards the last couple possessions of the game. Tiff (
Tiffany Wilson) had 3 baskets down the stretch that were huge, and Buncie (
Marissa Bunce) nailed the big three. Both teams really battled and we just made the last play.”
The Raiders are back on the road for the third time this week, closing out the AMC regular season with a game at Carlow University on Saturday February 19, 2011. Tipoff is set for 2PM. The AMC playoffs begin for the Lady Raiders on Tuesday February 22, 2011 at a site to be determined.
