Feb. 3, 2008

Box Score

AMHERST, MA - Fighting back from an 11-point second-half deficit, the Saint Joseph's women's basketball team came from behind to top Massachusetts, 72-66, Sunday afternoon at the Mullins Center.

Down 57-46 with 10:48 to go in the game, the Hawks used a 16-5 run over the next 3:36 to tie the game at 62 on a pair of free throws by freshman center Sarah Acker.

Massachusetts twice regained a two-point lead, but Saint Joseph's answered back each time, with the game tied at 66 with 1:53 remaining.

In the final minutes, Saint Joseph's defense stiffened, causing a shot-clock violation and earning another stop, to hold Massachusetts at bay. At the other end, SJU senior guard Timisha Gomez was clutch, putting SJU up 70-66 after making back-to-back penalty one-and-one free throws. The second set, coming with 36 seconds remaining.

The Minutewomen had a look for three on their next possession, but the ball was off the mark and landed out of bounds. Gomez was fouled on the inbounds and calmly knocked down the free throws to seal the victory.

In the opening half, the Hawks grabbed an early 5-4 advantage, but the Minutewomen quickly answered with five straight points to regain the lead 9-5. Massachusetts would hold onto the lead for nearly 10 minutes, opening a seven-point advantage twice.

Trailing 21-14, Saint Joseph's rattled off a 13-2 run from the 9:04 mark to 7:30, as sophomore guard Amy Gillespie capped the surge with a three-pointer and layup.

Leading 36-30, the Hawks saw their lead disappear over the final 2:21 of the half as the Minutewomen score six straight points as the teams went into the locker knotted at 36 apiece.

Saint Joseph's quickly jumped out to a 40-36 edge to start the second half, but Massachusetts quickly erased that, with 10 straight points, opening a 46-40 lead at the 14:51 mark.

For the game, the Hawks shot 42.9 percent from the field (27-of-63) and won the battle of the boards, 33-31. Massachusetts shot 51.9 percent from the filed (27-of-52), with Kate Mills leading the way with a game-high 27 points.

Acker finished with her fifth double-double of the season for SJU with 24 points and 16 rebounds, while Brittany Ford added 14 points. Gillespie added 12 points, while Gomez was the fourth Hawk to score in double figures, finishing with 10 points.

The Hawks return to action Wednesday, February 6, as Saint Joseph's hosts Saint Louis at 7 p.m. at Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse.