PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – Pace University Women's Basketball delivered an impressive fourth-quarter performance Saturday afternoon, closing the game on a decisive run to defeat Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), 64–58, on Senior Day. The Setters weathered a third-quarter surge from the Penmen and responded with timely defense and clutch free-throw shooting down the stretch at the Goldstein Fitness Center. The victory improves Pace to 7–19 overall and 3–14 in Northeast 10 Conference play.
SNHU opened on an 8–0 burst in the first quarter, but Pace answered quickly.
Grace Ziogas knocked down a three to spark the response, and
Morgan Ryan followed with a layup and a triple during a 10–2 run that tied the game at 14–14 midway through the period.
Ciara Collins continued the push with a strong finish inside, and
LyNeta Brand capped the quarter with a paint touch that gave the Setters a 20–18 edge after one.
Pace maintained momentum in the second quarter. Collins and
Anisa Akinola worked efficiently inside as the Setters built a four-point cushion at 27–23. SNHU countered late to regain a slim 33–30 lead at halftime, but Pace's defensive pressure and rebounding kept the margin tight.
The Penmen surged in the third, using a 14–6 run to stretch the advantage to 47–36 midway through the period. Collins answered with a three-pointer to slow the momentum, and
Ciera Cevallos sparked a late rally with five straight points to trim the deficit to 51–46 entering the fourth.
Pace opened the fourth period on an 8–0 run, fueled by Collins' midrange jumper and free throws from Brand to reclaim a 58–56 advantage with just over three minutes remaining. After the Penmen briefly tied the game, Pace locked in defensively and closed on a 6–0 run. Ryan converted two fast-break free throws to extend the lead to 60–56, Ziogas added another from the line, and Collins sealed the game with two clutch free throws in the final seconds to secure the 64–58 result.
Collins led the Setters with 20 points, while Ziogas added 10 points and Ryan contributed seven points and three assists. Akinola and Brand combined for 12 points and 11 rebounds as Pace forced 17 turnovers and scored 13 points off those miscues.
The Setters close out the regular season Tuesday on the road at Assumption University with a 5:30 p.m. tip-off