BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – A three-pointer by freshman Briana Stoddart (Brooklyn, N.Y.) with 0:04 seconds left in overtime lifted the University of Bridgeport to a 70-68 victory over Daemen College here today in women's basketball action. Bridgeport snapped a three-game losing streak and improved to 4-7 overall and 2-2 in the East Coast Conference. Daemen has now dropped five-straight games and falls to 2-6 overall and 0-3 in the league.
Four of the losses during Daemen's current losing streak have been by six points or less and two have come in overtime.
Sophomore Sarah Saba (Lancaster, N.Y./Lancaster) paced Daemen, as she was a perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line and finished with 20 points, six rebounds, four steals and two blocks. It marks the second time this season she has scored 20 or more points. Junior Natalie Galus (Hamburg, N.Y./Frontier) added 12 points and five boards for the Wildcats, while classmate Leah McDonell (North Tonawanda, N.Y./Cardinal O'Hara) totaled 10 points, five rebounds and seven assists. The seven helpers equals her career high.
Freshman Kadijah Dickson (Queens, N.Y.) led the host Purple Knights with 17 points, while Stoddart finished with 14 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Sophomore Morgen Caution (Baltimore, Md.) added 11 points and 14 rebounds.
Daemen took a 68-65 lead following a layup by sophomore Liz Miles (Cicero, N.Y./Ciceo-North Syracuse) with 1:33 left in the five-minute overtime. Bridgeport came up empty at the other end of the court, but the Wildcats were unable to take advantage on their next possession. Caution then hit two free throws with 0:39 seconds left to make it a one-point game. Senior Raeann Stilwell (Cheektowaga, N.Y./St. Mary's of Lancaster) was of the mark with a three-pointer at the other end, setting up Stoddart's heroics. Stoddart was actually off the mark with an initial go-ahead attempt, but sophomore Aurelie Leblanc-Florent (Longueuil, Quebec) collected the offensive rebound and fed Stoddard for the game-winning triple. Daemen got one last chance, but Stilwell's jumper at the buzzer rimmed out.
The game was close throughout, as it featured 21 lead changes and 15 ties. Neither team led by more than six points during the contest.
Bridgeport held an 11-5 lead midway through the first quarter, but the Wildcats answered with a jumper by McDonell and a three-pointer by junior Jesse DeWaters (Lockport, N.Y./Niagara County CC). The teams traded baskets the rest of the quarter and the hosts took a 16-15 lead into the second quarter.
The second quarter featured nine lead changes and four ties and neither team led by more than four points during the frame. Bridgeport took a 30-26 lead following a jumper by Dickson with just over two minutes left before halftime, but Daemen scored the final six points of the half and the Wildcats took a 32-30 lead into halftime.
It was a one possession game for most of the third quarter until a layup by senior Somara Colon (Bronx, N.Y./Mott Haven Village Prep) with 1:12 left in the quarter gave Daemen a 45-41 lead. The Wildcats took a 45-43 lead into the fourth quarter.
Bridgeport held a 54-50 lead midway through the fourth quarter, but Daemen responded with six unanswered points and took a 56-54 lead following a layup by Saba with 3:16 left in the quarter. Stoddart appeared to have won the game in regulation after she gave the hosts a 60-58 lead with 0:05 seconds left, but Saba was fouled driving to the hoop at the other end and canned both free throws to force overtime.
Daemen shot 36-percent (22-for-64) from the field overall and made just 4-of-21 three-point attempts. The Wildcats turned in a solid effort from the charity stripe, going 20-for-24. Bridgeport made 25-of-75 (32%) field goal attempts and finished 8-for-23 from downtown. The Purple Knights were also strong from the free throw line, finishing 12-for-15. Bridgeport finished with a 52-44 edge in total rebounds and the hosts collected 16 offensive rebounds which they converted into 15 second-chance points.
Daemen is idle until Dec. 30 when it travels to Saint Michael's College for a non-league game.
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