SECOND HALF SPREE HANDS CHARGERS THE WIN
West Haven, CT-Despite their halftime 25-24 advantage, the Golden Lions went on to fall to the #1 seeded New Haven Charger, 59-63, in the first round of the ECC Playoffs on February 28. The Golden Lions close out the season with a 11-17 overall record as the Chargers improve to 23-5 on the season and advance to the Quarterfinals.
Ashley Hilton was first to score on the second try lay-up just under a minute into play and Tristan Jackson followed for a 4-0 Charger edge. Teelah Grimes (Middle Island, NY) drove to the hoop for the layin with 17:43 showing to put the Golden Lions on the board. Shanasia Franklin (Uniondale, NY) hit another driving layup for the Golden Lions and a UNH turnover led to another Golden Lion bucket by Grimes allowing Dowling to creep within one (7-6).
Both teams continued to press hard. Janika Sundstrom (Helsinki, Finland) who grabbed Dowling’s first lead with a jumper but the Chargers came right back with a tally for a 16-15 edge. Again the teams went basket for basket. Franklin and Grimes teamed up to force a huge steal that led to another Grimes tally to once again regain the Dowling advantage (21-20). The Golden Lions maintained the lead to the buzzer heading into the locker room up by one (25-24).
The Chargers struck first but Kristina Mitchell (Streamwood, IL) nailed one from beyond the arc for the 28-26 edge. Again the lead see-sawed back and forth, but a five point run would force a DC timeout. Within minutes New Haven broke to a 10 point hold. Down by eight with 1:24 left to play head coach Joe Pellicane burned his last timeout with hopes to rally the troops for one last surge. Although they were able to inch within two baskets, Dowling was unable to overtake the Chargers.
Molloy Tubridy (Broad Channel, NY) finished with 15 points for the Golden Lions as Teelah Grimes added 11 points and six rebounds. Natasha Page (Brooklyn, NY) added 8 points and two blocks while Franklin finished with 6 assists, 3 steals and 8 points.
The Chargers were led by Hilton who finished with 18 points and 8 boards as Jennifer Shoemaker contributed with 11 points.
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