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ASTON, Pa. – The Cabrini women's basketball team concluded its Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) regular season on a high note and got a much-needed momentum victory heading into the postseason, topping South Division-leading Neumann University, 73-68. The Cavaliers shot a season-best 54.9 percent from the field overall versus the Knights in the victory.
Senior point guard Deana DiAmico led the Cabrini charge, scoring a team-best 24 points. DiAmico shot 5-for-6 from the field overall and scored 16 of her 24 points in the second half. She drained each of her four 3-point field goals and also shot 10-of-12 from the foul line.
Senior combo guard Kate Walck tallied a season-best 23 points, shooting 10-for-12 from the field overall and 2-of-4 from long range. Senior combo guard Alyssa Brady notched her seventh double-double of the season with 11 points and 12 rebounds.
The Cavaliers shot better than 48 percent from the field in the first half and led by three points at the intermission, 33-30. Walck ignited the Cabrini offense in the opening 20 minutes, recording 12 points on 5-for-6 shooting.
The Knights kept pace with the Blue & White despite its efficient shooting, getting 12 points and eight rebounds from junior forward Katie Young in the first half. Young keyed Neumann's win at Cabrini Jan. 21 with 22 points and 17 boards.
DiAmico opened the second half with two 3-point field goals, helping the Cavaliers establish an eight-point cushion, 39-31, at the 18:20 mark.
Neumann answered with a 9-0 run and led 40-39 with 15:49 remaining. Cabrini trailed 51-50 at the 9:55 mark after a basket from Young.
However, Alyssa Brady's lay-in on the next possession provided the Blue & White with a lead it would never relinquish, 52-51. The Cavaliers used an 11-0 run to lead 61—51 with 4:20 remaining.
The Knights threatened down the stretch and had a chance to tie the game in the final minute, but senior forward Brittany Whetts converted just 1-of-2 free throws with 25 seconds remaining. Brady grabbed the rebound on the second miss and DiAmico calmly sunk two foul shots to ice the victory.
Whetts powered Neumann with a double-double, pairing 24 points with 13 rebounds. Whetts scored 10 of her 24 points at the foul line. Young also notched a double-double with 18 points and 13 boards.
Cabrini (15-10, 12-4), under the direction of first-year head coach Kate Pearson, has clinched a spot in the CSAC Tournament and will learn of its seeding following the completion of Saturday's games.
