OLD WESTBURY, NY –- Rookie Caitlin Harrison converted an offensive rebound and put back as time expired to give The College of New Rochelle (6-4) a 71-70 victory over the College at Old Westbury tonight in a non-conference match at the Clark Athletic Center.
Jah-Leah Ellis led all scorers with 30 points, adding 11 rebounds, four assists and four steals. Alyssa Pechin added 14 points and a game-high seven assists. Kevona Jackson also reached double figures with 10 points. Harrison finished with five points and seven rebounds.
The Panthers (4-4) were led by Crystal Barnes, who scored 21 points, adding a game-high 12 rebounds.
Trailing by four, 70-66, with just under a minute remaining, Ellis cut the deficit in half with two free throws. On the ensuing Old Westbury possession, Ellis stole the ball and was fouled, converting one of two from the line to pull the Blue Angels within a single point, 70-69, with half a minute left. After forcing another Panther turnover, CNR called timeout to set up a final play. The shot went to Ellis, but her shot did not fall, but the ball went out of bounds off an Old Westbury player, giving the Blue Angels another chance. Pechin attempted the game-winner this time, and Harrison grabbed the offensive board and made the layup to give CNR its second victory over the Panthers in less than two weeks.
The two teams traded baskets over much of the first half until the Blue Angels used a 13-2 run to turn a 12-9 deficit into a 21-14 lead, capped by a Pechin three pointer with less than eight minutes left before the break. The teams then traded 7-0 runs before CNR maintained the lead the rest of the half, taking a 33-28 lead at the end of the opening stanza.
Neither team led by more than five over the second minutes, setting up the dramatic finish.
The Blue Angels will take time off for final exams and the semester break before returning to action on January 10, traveling to Pine Manor College for a game slated to begin at 5:00 PM.