Springfield, Mass. – December 5, 2008 – Despite a furious second-half rally, the Springfield College women’s basketball team could not overcome an early deficit as it fell to Westfield State, 69-60, in the Pioneer Valley Women’s Hoop Classic at Western New England College on Friday evening.
Senior guard Katie Sylvain (Hadley, MA) scored 16 points and made a clutch three-pointer in the final minute as the Owls held on for the win.
Senior guard Lauren Sylvain (Hadley, MA) – KatieÂ's twin sister – also tallied 16 points along with sophomore center Cassy Jouannet (Conway, MA) as the Owls improved to 5-1.
Westfield State led 34-19 at halftime and held a 22-point lead at 41-19 following a three-pointer by Lauren Sylvain with 16:58 left in the game. It appeared the Owls were going to cruise to an easy win when Lauren Sylvain hit a jumper for a 58-38 margin at the 8:35 mark.
The Pride staged a terrific comeback using a 15-3 run to get within 60-53 after a basket by freshman forward Cherelle Allen (New Britain, CT) with 3:47 left. Lauren Sylvain hit another key three-pointer for a 10-point lead just 27 seconds later.
Freshman guard Meaghan Cavanaugh (Lowell, MA) drained a trey and Allen made a free throw to get Springfield within 63-57 with 2:46 remaining. But Katie Sylvain hit another three from the top of the key with 39 seconds remaining and then added three free throws in the final 29 seconds to seal the victory. She also contributed seven rebounds, six assists, and three steals in a top all-around performance.
Cavanaugh and senior forward Corey Finch (Hanover, PA) each finished with 14 points while Allen pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds for the Pride (3-4).
