Springfield - 60, Farmingdale State - 58
Amherst, Mass. - In the first game of the Amherst Tip-Off Classic Invitational Tournament, the Farmingdale State Women's Basketball team played Springfield College and fell, 60-58. The Rams drop to 0-2 on the season, while the Pride now stand at 2-0.
Trailing by 10, 38-28, in the third quarter, FSC freshman guard Khandra Rhoden (Brentwood, N.Y.) converted a three-point play to cut the deficit to seven. After a layup by Springfield freshman guard Ashley Rouleau (Chicopee, Mass.), Rhoden answered with an offensive rebound and layup to keep it a seven-point game, 40-33, with 4:26 left in the third.
Following a free throw by the Pride, Farmingdale State senior guard Kaelyn Ward (East Hampton, N.Y.) drilled a 3-pointer and a layup to close the gap to just three, 41-38.
Still leading by three with 1:27 remaining in the quarter, Pride sophomore guard Alex Goslin (South Windsor, Conn.) hit a 3 before junior forward Gracie Restituyo (Barrington, R.I.) tallied a three-point play as Springfield went into the fourth quarter leading by nine, 49-40.
Down by 10, 51-41, the Rams recorded three straight 3-pointers by senior forward Essence Casey (Huntington Station, N.Y.), Rhoden and senior guard Liz Durchhalter (Franklin Square, N.Y.) to cut the Springfield advantage to only one, 51-50, with 3:51 left.
On the ensuing possession, Restituyo registered a layup before Ward connected on another FSC 3 to tie the game at 53-53.
Only 13 seconds later Goslin was fouled and converted both free throws to regain a two-point Pride advantage, 55-53.
Casey quickly answered with another 3-pointer to give the Rams their first lead since the opening minute, 56-55, with 2:50 on the clock.
Tied at 57-57, Goslin drained the shot clock before scoring a layup with only 10 seconds remaining to put Springfield ahead by two, 59-57.
The Rams and the Pride each converted 1-of-2 at the line in the final seconds as Springfield held on for the two-point non-conference victory, 60-58.
Farmingdale State was led by Casey's 16 points and nine rebounds. Junior guard Alexis Antonacci (Plainview, N.Y.) produced eight points and seven assists, while Rhoden recorded 11 points, six rebounds and three assists for the Rams.
Goslin shot 4-of-7 from the field for 12 points, while senior forward Heather King (Lebanon, N.H.) pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds for the Pride. Restituyo finished with 16 points, nine rebounds and two assists.
The Rams will now face Lyndon State in the Tip-Off Tournament's consolation game tomorrow, Sunday November 19th at 1:00 p.m.
*****