Recap | Boxscore

Jan 31, 2009

Women’s Basketball Upsets Bentley with Strong Second Half 70-68

WALTHAM, MA – The Merrimack women’s basketball team overcame an eight-point halftime deficit to defeat rival Bentley University 70-68 Saturday afternoon at the Dana Center.

The Warriors trailed by 37-29 at the half but never gave up using a 22-6 run to seize the lead. Led by seven early second-half points from Amanda Shannon (North Andover, MA) and two three-pointers from Casey Miller (Fairbanks, AK), the Warriors stormed back to cut the deficit to one at 53-52. A lay-up from Hannah DeGraffinreed (Raleigh, NC) put the Warriors ahead for the first time since early in the first half at 54-53. Sarah Benischek (Shrub Oak, NY) followed with a three and Gennifer Roy (Granby, MA) drained a jumper to extend the Warriors’ lead to six at 59-53, forcing the Falcons to call for time after a remarkable 22-6 run for the visitors.

But the Falcons did not quit as Angela Manfredi converted a three after an offensive rebound by Kelly Barrett to cut the Warriors lead to two at 66-64 with 3:42 to play in regulation. Laura Massie then tied the score at 66 with 1:55 to play with a lay-up.

On the Warriors next possession, DeGraffinreed missed a lay-up but Miller was there for the offensive rebound and got it to Roy who was fouled. She converted both free throws regaining the lead for the Warriors with 1:24 to play at 68-66. On the ensuing possession for Bentley, Brennan missed a lay-up which was rebounded by DeGraffinreed, who got it to Benischek, who found Miller for a lay-up to extend the lead to four with 42 seconds left. Brennan made her next shot to cut the lead to two and the Falcons got the ball back with five seconds remaining with a chance to tie but never got a shot off as the Warriors escaped with their fifth road win of the season.

Merrimack started strong, taking an early 13-8 lead after a lay-up from Roy assisted by Miller. But the Falcons responded closing the half with a 29-16 run to take a 37-29 lead into the locker room at halftime. Brennan led all scorers with 13 points as the Falcon defense forced seven Merrimack turnovers while holding Shannon scoreless in the first half for the second time all season.

Roy was one of four Warriors in double-figures as she tallied a career-high 19 points. Shannon added 10 points, all in the second half, while Miller chipped in with 18 off the bench, including four shots from behind the arc. DeGraffinreed tallied 12 to go with five boards and four assists. The Warriors converted six of their eight attempts from three-point range in the second half and were 11-for-20 in the game.

Brennan led all scorers with a career-high 26 points on 11-for-15 shooting, while Kristy McLean added 14.

Merrimack (7-13, 6-9 NE-10) continues its three-game road trip at Southern New Hampshire Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.


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