NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Even though it took overtime to do so, the final game of the Roxbury CC Tournament saw the Monroe College women’s basketball team earn its first win of the season, an 82-74 triumph over the University of Connecticut at Avery Point on Sunday. Four Mustangs finished in double-figures in the win.
Monroe held the lead after the first quarter in every game they played this season, but Sunday was the exception as Avery Point led 12-11 after the first ten minutes. UConn pushed the lead to 30-26 at the half.
The Mustangs had a torrid third-quarter and outscored Avery Point, 25-9, to turn a four-point-deficit into a 12-point cushion, 51-39. Samantha Hines scored the first two baskets of the quarter, leveling the game at 30-30. Avery Point responded with a go-ahead bucket, but then Monroe outscored them 21-7 for the remainder of the period. Into the fourth, UConn erased the lead and eventually led by two points in the closing seconds of regulation. Destini Green drew a foul and went to the charity stripe with a chance to tie the game. The sophomore sunk both free throws and the game went into overtime tied at 68-68. Monroe took the lead for good on a pair of Green foul shots with 3:54 remaining. They held on for an 82-74 win. The team is now 1-3 on the season.
In the victory, Hines had her second-straight double double with 20 points and 15 rebounds. Camilla Kilinc scored a season-best 16 points, while Green had a dozen and Venesa Jordan chipped in with ten. Monroe out rebounded UConn, 58-39 and caused 26 turnovers. The Mustangs return to the court on Saturday, November 14, when they open their home schedule against Monroe Community College. The tipoff with the Tribunes is slated for 3:00 PM.
