PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – A fourth quarter that had eight lead changes resulted in defeat for the Pace University women's basketball team on Tuesday, as Franklin Pierce University (FPU) took the lead in the final minute and held on for a 70-65 win in Northeast-10 Conference action at the Goldstein Fitness Center. The Setters fall to 10-11 overall, and 5-8 in NE-10 contests, while the Ravens improve to 11-7 on the year and 8-5 in conference play.
The Setters began the fourth quarter with a layup by
Yuni Sher (Poughkeepsie, NY/Long Island Lutheran) to push Pace ahead, 49-48, over Franklin Pierce. FPU's Natalie Bastian finished a layup 26 seconds later through contact, and knocked down the free throw to give Franklin Pierce a two-point lead. After sophomore
Gabriella Rubin (Staten Island, NY/Moore Catholic) made a pair of free throws, followed by two points for the Ravens, graduate student
Shanice Maynard (Camden, NJ/Woodrow Wilson / Coppin State) nailed a jumper in the paint to tie the game, 53-53, with 7:52 remaining in the fourth.
The Ravens took the lead after splitting two free throws, and the producing a three-point play. Junior
Kirsten Dodge (Fabius, NY/Fabius-Pompey) converted a layup, set up by an over-the-top pass by Maynard. Rubin then made a jump shot, and then Maynard fed Dodge twice with two more overhead passes to give the Setters a 61-59 advantage at the 3:14 mark.
A pair of free throws by FPU's Kara Charette put the Ravens up, 64-63, with 1:45 to go. Rubin later went to the line with 58 seconds left, making both of her chances to give Pace a one-point edge. Charette followed that up with a layup to take the lead back for the Ravens at 66-65. The Setters were unable to convert on their next two trips down the court, and four more free throws for the Ravens clinched the game.
At the half, Dodge led all players with 11 points and seven rebounds as the Setters finished the second quarter with a two-point deficit, 36-34. The Setters played the Ravens tough in the third, and the period ended with a 48-47 advantage for the Ravens.
Dodge and Rubin matched with a game-high 18 points apiece, while Dodge grabbed a team-best nine rebounds. Rubin added seven boards to her final line.
Franklin Pierce's Alison Palma registered a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds on Tuesday. Dyamond Gardner tallied 12 points, eight boards and a game-high five assists.
The Setters return to action on Saturday, Jan. 30, when they visit Southern New Hampshire University for an NE-10 matchup at the SNHU Fieldhouse. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
For all information regarding Pace University women's basketball log on to
www.PaceUAthletics.com and follow Pace women's basketball on Twitter (
@PaceWBB) and Instagram (
@PaceWBB).
