PLEASANTVILLE, NY- Freshman
Gabriella Rubin scored a career-high 23 points as the Setters used a second half rally to down the American International Yellow Jackets 61-56 in Northeast-10 Conference play.
The Setters improve to 3-6 overall and 2-4 in the NE-10, while the Yellow Jackets drop to 3-6 and 1-4 in conference play.
Both teams struggled to find their shot early and traded points throughout the early going of the first half.
Jaclyn Oskam connected on three free throws at the 6:07 mark to put the Setters up by one at 13-12. The Yellow Jackets answered, pulling ahead by five points at 23-18 with 1:43 left in the game. Pace rallied late as
Margo Hackett and Rubin both hit from downtown the pull the Setters to within a point at 25-24 at the break.
American International led most of the second half, holding nine point advantage three times over the final 20 minutes of play. The Setters hung around as a Hackett triple at the 11:02 mark cut the score down to four points but the Yellow Jackets were able to extend to nine points for the final time at 52-43 with 6:12 left in the game.
The Setters raced back as they used a 12-0 burst over the ensuing three minutes to take control of the game.
Yuni Sher got things going as she completed a three-point play, while adding a free throw later in the rally. Rubin's trifecta sliced the score down to two points and her lay-up at the 3:18 mark evened the score at 52. Pace was not finished with their comeback Hackett put the Setters up for good with a three-pointer at the 2:27 mark.
The Yellow Jackets hit a pair of free throws to keep the score at a point with 90 seconds left. Sher and
Geena Rosalbo both hit one from the line down the stretch but Rubin iced the victory for the Setters as she went 4-for-4 in the final 20 seconds of the game.
For the Setters, Rubin set career-best marks with 23 points and seven boards. Hackett finished with an all-around game, tallying 13 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Sher totaled 10 rebounds and seven points, while Oskam grabbed seven boards along with six points.
The Setters have a quick turn-around as they host the Caldwell University Cougars on Sunday, December 14 at 1:30 pm.
