Union, NJ - It took nearly three hours and three overtimes, but the Cabrini women's basketball team picked up a thrilling 100-94 victory this evening against Wheaton College in the Kean Classic.
Freshman
Kate Lannon paced the Cavalier attack as she accounted for nearly a third of the offense with a game high 31 points. The rookie added 13 rebounds, highlighted by seven on the offensive end, as well as two assists and two steals.
The 100 points marked the most points the Cavs have scored since the 2014-15 season.
The Lyons opened up the first quarter with an aggressive attack as they outscored the Cavs 18-13 in the first 10 minutes and were able to extend their lead up to 11 after four minutes into the second.
Back-to-back buckets from Lannon briefly cut into the Lyons lead, but freshman Mikayla Pucci and co. respond with a 9-2 run for the Lyons to push their lead to 16 with just over three minutes left in the half.
Both teams would swap baskets and head into the intermission with Wheaton holding a 38-24 advantage.
Coming out of the break, the Blue and White were able to slowly chip away, getting the Lyons' lead down to just eight points off of baskets from junior
Nomi Washington, senior
Sabrina Hackendorn and Lannon.
A Wheaton layup from sophomore Sara McLeman with 36 seconds left gave the Lyons a 56-47 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Quick scores from Washington and sophomore
Meghan Matthews opened up the scoring in the fourth and cut the Lyons' lead to five in the process. Wheaton responded as they slowly expanded their lead back to eight with just over five minutes left to play.
Down 65-57, the Blue and White ripped off an 11-0 run, highlighted by two threes from sophomore
Cassidy Gallagher and a few clutch free throws from Matthews, to take the 68-65 lead with 1:17 to go.
Sophomore Natalie Wind put a momentary stop to the Cavs' epic comeback as she responded with a three of her own to even the score with 27 seconds left.
Coming out of a timeout, the Cavs found themselves with two good looks to win it but were unable to convert as both teams headed to overtime knotted at 68.
After a first overtime that featured both teams swapping baskets and a second overtime with neither team holding more than a two point lead, the Cavs and Lyons headed to a decisive third overtime tied at 84.
Four straight points from senior Emily Cuthbertson and Pucci opened up the third overtime and put the Lyons up 88-84 in the process. Lannon responded for the Cavs, however as the freshman converted back-to-back and ones to put her team up two in a matter of thirty seconds. Four straight free throws from Gallagher pushed Cabrini's lead to six with 1:36 left.
Needing to save the clock, the Lyons were forced to foul in the hopes the Cavs would miss their free throws. The Cavs, however hit four of six freebies to close out the game and cap their comeback.
Cabrini ended the game with a decisive 22-10 advantage in second chance points off of 26 offensive rebounds. Washington collected her first double-double of the year with 17 points and 13 boards and narrowly missed a triple-double as she also finished with seven assists.
Hackendorn and Matthews picked up 16 and 15 points, respectively, while Gallagher finished with 13.
Cabrini will next face Kean University tomorrow at 2pm to wrap up the Kean Classic.