Recap | Boxscore

Feb 21, 2009

Women’s Basketball Clinches Playoff Berth with 87-75 OT Win over So. Connecticut

NORTH ANDOVER, MA – The Merrimack women’s basketball team defeated Southern Connecticut 87-75 in overtime Saturday afternoon to clinch a playoff spot in the Northeast-10 Tournament.

A win over New Haven on Tuesday will give Merrimack (9-17, 8-13 NE-10) the 11th seed as opposed to the 12th seed. First round play is scheduled for Sunday March 1.

The Warriors trailed for the entire second half but finally evened the score behind an offensive rebound and put back by Hannah DeGraffinreed (Raleigh, NC) to tie the game at 69 with 20 seconds to play. Merrimack had the last shot with a chance to win in regulation after an Owl turnover, but Amanda Shannon’s (North Andover, MA) three-pointer went off the back rim, sending the game to overtime.

Merrimack took control in the extra period, using an 11-4 run to take an 82-73 lead. Casey Miller (Fairbanks, AK) had a share in the first three baskets, getting a lay-in and two assists, while Genn Roy (Granby, MA) sealed the game with five free throws. A three from Sarah Benischek (Shrub Oak, NJ) gave the Warriors the 82-73 lead with 47 seconds to play. Merrimack shot 71.4% from the field in overtime.

In a high-scoring, closely-contested battle, the Owls led 41-40 at halftime behind seven threes, four from Alex Fiola. Fiola led all scorers with 16 points and was 6-for-9 from the field.

The Warriors matched the Owls shot-for-shot as Shannon tallied 13 points, while DeGraffinreed added eight points and seven rebounds. There were 14 lead changes, with neither team leading my more than seven.

DeGraffinreed finished with career-highs in points (21) and rebounds (19) and added five assists in 42 minutes. On her senior day, Shannon added 20 and was perfect from the line in six chances. Tiffany Colon (Lawrence, MA) added 15 points and eight boards off the bench, including numerous baskets down the stretch in the second half. Roy finished with 12 points and four assists in 36 minutes.

Jacqueline Johannesen led the Owls with 16 points and 18 rebounds, while Fiola finished with 16 points and did not hit a three after the first half.


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